Paul Cully
October 17, 2011
Cory Jane was the official man of the match.
15. Israel Dagg The most dangerous runner on the field, he killed the Wallabies with his long-kicking game from fullback. Won the territorial battle. 8/10
14. Cory Jane Brilliance under the high ball was the feature of the first half, snuffing out Genia's kicking game. Bright on attack too. 8
13. Conrad Smith Hardly touched the ball as the All Blacks turned the game into a contest between the forwards. But solid in defence. 6
12. Ma'a Nonu A quieter than normal performance, which was to be expected in the absence of Dan Carter. 7
11. Richard Kahui Saw little ball but was solid when called upon. Would have enjoyed last act of game, driving an isolated, backpedalling Cooper over the touchline to the delight of the Eden Park fans. 6
10. Aaron Cruden Incredibly assured performance from the youngster. Ran with purpose and had the ball on a string with his kicking, including one composed drop goal. Opposite of Cooper.7
9. Piri Weepu Not his best game and he had an off night with the boot, missing some very kickable penalties. Pace caught up with him and he was replaced before the hour. 6
8. Kieran Read Running into some strong form after his injury lay-off. The man for the hard yards. 7
7. Richard McCaw Showed the world that he is still the boss, indisputably, even on one foot. One fantastic driving tackle on Genia highlighted his effort. 8
6. Jerome Kaino Used his immense strength to pick up and drive back Ioane when a try looked on the cards. 7
5. Sam Whitelock Busy rather than spectacular, although the lineout operated efficiently. Ali Williams made more of an impact from the bench with his powerful carries. 7
4. Brad Thorn Wallabies fans will find the image of a whooping Thorn after a dominant scrum hard to swallow, but he was a strongman all night. 7
3. Owen Franks Gave Kepu and Slipper real problems in the set pieces and smashed McCabe with one huge tackle that led to an All Blacks penalty. A hard nut from the old school. 8
2. Keven Mealamu His best performance of the tournament. Consistently made metres up the middle with his close-to-the-ground running style. 8
1. Tony Woodcock Part of the brutal forward effort that won the game. All Blacks won the scrum, the collisions and the breakdown. 7
RESERVES
Brainless no-arms tackle by Sonny Bill Williams on Cooper reduced his team to 14 men in the dying minutes and could have been costly at another stage. But Andy Ellis and Ali Williams made important contributions in the last half hour, as did Andrew Hore with his strength at the breakdown. 7
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Steely All Blacks one match away from immortality
James Mortimer - (17/10/2011)
Earlier in the week the Australian media claimed the All Blacks had played their greatest emotional card, with the 1987 World Cup winning team having a special lunch with their current counterparts.
These All Blacks don’t lack for motivation when considering the factors they could use to drive them on when approaching the Final this weekend against France.
There is the small matter of a 24-year winning drought at this tournament, with this now the sixth World Cup since the All Blacks have hoisted the Webb Ellis trophy in triumph.
Add to this being at home amongst their ‘stadium of four million’, the poignant emotion and feeling that is hammered back home every time we think about Christchurch and the devastating earthquakes, not to mention Jock Hobbs special touch in presenting the new All Blacks centurions their caps, Jonah Lomu being hospitalised during the World Cup – and let us not forget the shock when it was revealed Dan Carter was ruled out.
If anything, there was a risk that there was too much emotion or feeling, something that the All Blacks could have succumbed to.
But with a moment of clarity, I personally knew this was not to be the case.
As I was standing during the New Zealand anthem, I must admit – with no embarrassment - that for the first time I was in tears as I was overcome with emotion prior to arguably the biggest All Blacks test I had ever been privledged to watch.
Then it hit me.
The All Blacks, to a man, looked relaxed and composed, some belting out ‘God Defend New Zealand’, while others, as is their want, stood deep within their own thoughts.
However emotion, nervousness, or even the slightest look of apprehension, was not in sight.
These All Blacks were focused.
This team was calm.
They leaked a steely resolve that coach Graham Henry had said was a consistent theme building into the test.
This All Blacks team was always going to be judged on the World Cup, and while Henry and captain Richie McCaw have cautioned they are still to ‘win the damn thing’, they are now on the precipice of adding the one trophy that has alluded them for two decades.
In 2004, when Henry took over as All Blacks coach, there was a small hint of things to come as England – admittedly understrength – but World Champions, arrived in New Zealand and lost 36-3 and 36-12.
The Springboks may have won the Investec Tri Nations that year, but Henry would add to the All Blacks legacy, a word he has spoken of with hushed tones during his long tenure.
Last night’s victory against the Wallabies was the All Blacks 87th test win in 102 matches under Henry - pushing his statistic to 85.7 percent of games won.
It was also the 192nd win on New Zealand soil, a remarkable ledger from 235 matches that has seen the All Blacks colours lowered just 37 times in their own backyard since 1904 - a home winning record of precisely 81.7 percent.
These All Blacks, led initially by Tana Umaga and now captained by Richie McCaw, has given rise to the most experienced New Zealand test team of all time.
Five of the All Blacks ten Tri Nations titles have been won in this period, including a competition record four straight from 2005 to 2008.
The Bledisloe Cup has not been conceded since 2002, the solitary Grand Slam victory achieved by Graham Mourie in 1978 has had three successes added (2005, 2008 and 2010), while records have been re-written with trans-Tasman streaks, home winning runs, while 50 tests against Northern Hemisphere opposition has resulted in just two losses in eight years.
The one thing to all but confirm this team as one of the great All Blacks sides, and one of the best outfits of all time – is the Webb Ellis Cup.
France and eighty minutes now stand between the All Blacks, as they prepare to pass their final barometer.
Earlier in the week the Australian media claimed the All Blacks had played their greatest emotional card, with the 1987 World Cup winning team having a special lunch with their current counterparts.
These All Blacks don’t lack for motivation when considering the factors they could use to drive them on when approaching the Final this weekend against France.
There is the small matter of a 24-year winning drought at this tournament, with this now the sixth World Cup since the All Blacks have hoisted the Webb Ellis trophy in triumph.
Add to this being at home amongst their ‘stadium of four million’, the poignant emotion and feeling that is hammered back home every time we think about Christchurch and the devastating earthquakes, not to mention Jock Hobbs special touch in presenting the new All Blacks centurions their caps, Jonah Lomu being hospitalised during the World Cup – and let us not forget the shock when it was revealed Dan Carter was ruled out.
If anything, there was a risk that there was too much emotion or feeling, something that the All Blacks could have succumbed to.
But with a moment of clarity, I personally knew this was not to be the case.
As I was standing during the New Zealand anthem, I must admit – with no embarrassment - that for the first time I was in tears as I was overcome with emotion prior to arguably the biggest All Blacks test I had ever been privledged to watch.
Then it hit me.
The All Blacks, to a man, looked relaxed and composed, some belting out ‘God Defend New Zealand’, while others, as is their want, stood deep within their own thoughts.
However emotion, nervousness, or even the slightest look of apprehension, was not in sight.
These All Blacks were focused.
This team was calm.
They leaked a steely resolve that coach Graham Henry had said was a consistent theme building into the test.
This All Blacks team was always going to be judged on the World Cup, and while Henry and captain Richie McCaw have cautioned they are still to ‘win the damn thing’, they are now on the precipice of adding the one trophy that has alluded them for two decades.
In 2004, when Henry took over as All Blacks coach, there was a small hint of things to come as England – admittedly understrength – but World Champions, arrived in New Zealand and lost 36-3 and 36-12.
The Springboks may have won the Investec Tri Nations that year, but Henry would add to the All Blacks legacy, a word he has spoken of with hushed tones during his long tenure.
Last night’s victory against the Wallabies was the All Blacks 87th test win in 102 matches under Henry - pushing his statistic to 85.7 percent of games won.
It was also the 192nd win on New Zealand soil, a remarkable ledger from 235 matches that has seen the All Blacks colours lowered just 37 times in their own backyard since 1904 - a home winning record of precisely 81.7 percent.
These All Blacks, led initially by Tana Umaga and now captained by Richie McCaw, has given rise to the most experienced New Zealand test team of all time.
Five of the All Blacks ten Tri Nations titles have been won in this period, including a competition record four straight from 2005 to 2008.
The Bledisloe Cup has not been conceded since 2002, the solitary Grand Slam victory achieved by Graham Mourie in 1978 has had three successes added (2005, 2008 and 2010), while records have been re-written with trans-Tasman streaks, home winning runs, while 50 tests against Northern Hemisphere opposition has resulted in just two losses in eight years.
The one thing to all but confirm this team as one of the great All Blacks sides, and one of the best outfits of all time – is the Webb Ellis Cup.
France and eighty minutes now stand between the All Blacks, as they prepare to pass their final barometer.
All Blacks power into World Cup final
Sportal.co.nz - (16/10/2011)
All Blacks power was turned onto full velocity as they beat Australia 20-6 to claim a place in next week's Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park in Auckland.
Australia were guilty of succumbing to outstanding pressure mounted by the home team, rarely managing to complete meaningful assaults and conceding turnover after turnover.
Australia's Eden Park bogey was extended while New Zealand claimed a first World Cup victory over their trans-Tasman neighbours after their losses in 1991 and 2003.
It wasn't the most flowing of contests, it was all to do with power, brute power in the traditional New Zealand sense. Nothing demonstrated that more than a pile-driving New Zealand scrum in the 71st minute which destroyed the Australian scrum resulting in a penalty which halfback Piri Weepu, who was called back onto the field as a blood bin replacement for Andrew Ellis, goaled for the winning advantage.
Considering his foot had been under intense scrutiny throughout the week before the game captain Richie McCaw belied any concerns with a vigorous demonstration of his right to still be regarded as the best flanker in the world. He had an improved Kieran Read and the admirable blindside flanker par excellence Jerome Kaino as outstanding assistants.
Whether covering in defence or leading the way in driving play the trio set an example and the tight core did their job superbly. To see prop Owen Franks tying down dangerous halfback Will Genia and wing Digby Ioane up was a demonstration of New Zealand's application. Hooker Keven Mealamu was a low-slung runner with ball in hand as he inched over the advantage line with lock Brad Thorn close behind.
Weepu was again outstanding and while landing four penalty goals he achieved 100 points in Test matches.
Wing Cory Jane had few chances to run but was magnificent under high kicks both offensively and defensively.
Australia were forced into basic errors as the result of the intensity of New Zealand's defence. Ioane dropped the ball in one instance and was then guilty of running into one of his own players accidentally in front of him. In a later move wing James O'Connor attempted a miracle off-load only to conceded the ball to New Zealand. Errors were there from the start of the match for the Australians.
New Zealand could hardly have imagined a better opening when Australian first five-eighths Quade Cooper begun the game by putting the kick-off straight into touch. The result was instant pressure being applied with fullback Israel Dagg twice making telling breaks the second of which resulted in the opening try, after five minutes to second five-eighths Ma'a Nonu.
The New Zealand forwards were like lions unleashed, hammering into rucks and mauls, getting the low drive on the Australians and creating quick ball which halfback Piri Weepu released with ease.
Australian flanker David Pocock was penalised twice in the first 12 minutes for breakdown infringements with Weepu converting one penalty in the 12th.
But Australia struck back when Weepu failed to find touch with James O'Connor finding room for fellow wing Digby Ioane to race to the line, just being held up short by rapid All Blacks defence and it was McCaw's turn to be penalised in the 16th minute for O'Connor to land the goal.
It appeared New Zealand had decided to deliberately target Cooper, wherever he was in his covering role he was peppered with high kicks and All Blacks chasers bearing down on him with telling effect.
Australia had a solid period on attack around the 30th minute but all they got from it was a Cooper dropped goal. New Zealand got back onto attack and a basic penalty from a high kick being knocked on and then touched by fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper resulted in a penalty goal for Weepu in the 35th minute.
Scorers:
Australia 6 (James O'Connor pen; Quade Cooper dropped goal) New Zealand 20 (Ma'a Nonu try; Piri Weepu 4 pen; Aaron Cruden dropped goal). HT: 6-14
All Blacks power was turned onto full velocity as they beat Australia 20-6 to claim a place in next week's Rugby World Cup final at Eden Park in Auckland.
Australia were guilty of succumbing to outstanding pressure mounted by the home team, rarely managing to complete meaningful assaults and conceding turnover after turnover.
Australia's Eden Park bogey was extended while New Zealand claimed a first World Cup victory over their trans-Tasman neighbours after their losses in 1991 and 2003.
It wasn't the most flowing of contests, it was all to do with power, brute power in the traditional New Zealand sense. Nothing demonstrated that more than a pile-driving New Zealand scrum in the 71st minute which destroyed the Australian scrum resulting in a penalty which halfback Piri Weepu, who was called back onto the field as a blood bin replacement for Andrew Ellis, goaled for the winning advantage.
Considering his foot had been under intense scrutiny throughout the week before the game captain Richie McCaw belied any concerns with a vigorous demonstration of his right to still be regarded as the best flanker in the world. He had an improved Kieran Read and the admirable blindside flanker par excellence Jerome Kaino as outstanding assistants.
Whether covering in defence or leading the way in driving play the trio set an example and the tight core did their job superbly. To see prop Owen Franks tying down dangerous halfback Will Genia and wing Digby Ioane up was a demonstration of New Zealand's application. Hooker Keven Mealamu was a low-slung runner with ball in hand as he inched over the advantage line with lock Brad Thorn close behind.
Weepu was again outstanding and while landing four penalty goals he achieved 100 points in Test matches.
Wing Cory Jane had few chances to run but was magnificent under high kicks both offensively and defensively.
Australia were forced into basic errors as the result of the intensity of New Zealand's defence. Ioane dropped the ball in one instance and was then guilty of running into one of his own players accidentally in front of him. In a later move wing James O'Connor attempted a miracle off-load only to conceded the ball to New Zealand. Errors were there from the start of the match for the Australians.
New Zealand could hardly have imagined a better opening when Australian first five-eighths Quade Cooper begun the game by putting the kick-off straight into touch. The result was instant pressure being applied with fullback Israel Dagg twice making telling breaks the second of which resulted in the opening try, after five minutes to second five-eighths Ma'a Nonu.
The New Zealand forwards were like lions unleashed, hammering into rucks and mauls, getting the low drive on the Australians and creating quick ball which halfback Piri Weepu released with ease.
Australian flanker David Pocock was penalised twice in the first 12 minutes for breakdown infringements with Weepu converting one penalty in the 12th.
But Australia struck back when Weepu failed to find touch with James O'Connor finding room for fellow wing Digby Ioane to race to the line, just being held up short by rapid All Blacks defence and it was McCaw's turn to be penalised in the 16th minute for O'Connor to land the goal.
It appeared New Zealand had decided to deliberately target Cooper, wherever he was in his covering role he was peppered with high kicks and All Blacks chasers bearing down on him with telling effect.
Australia had a solid period on attack around the 30th minute but all they got from it was a Cooper dropped goal. New Zealand got back onto attack and a basic penalty from a high kick being knocked on and then touched by fullback Adam Ashley-Cooper resulted in a penalty goal for Weepu in the 35th minute.
Scorers:
Australia 6 (James O'Connor pen; Quade Cooper dropped goal) New Zealand 20 (Ma'a Nonu try; Piri Weepu 4 pen; Aaron Cruden dropped goal). HT: 6-14
Sunday, October 9, 2011
All Blacks grind down gutsy Pumas
LIAM NAPIER Last updated 22:33 09/10/2011
RWC 2011 - All Blacks vs Argentina QF4: Argentina v New Zealand
Match Scorecard
New Zealand33
Tries: Kieran Read (1), Brad Thorn (1)
Conversions: Aaron Cruden (1)
Penalty goals: Piri Weepu (7)
Argentina10
Tries: Julio Farias Cabello (1)
Conversions: Felipe Contepomi (1)
Penalty goals: Marcello Bosch (1)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
New Zealand may be into the semifinals but they could be down to their third-choice pivot after Colin Slade suffered a groin complaint at Eden Park, the same injury that robbed Dan Carter of any further participation in this tournament.
That was the primary talking point a crowd of 57,912 will ponder post-match.
Anxious memories of that shocking night in Cardiff four-years ago will have crept into the consciousness of some, as the All Blacks struggled to shake off the Pumas, who were never expected to get close, until the closing stages.
This was not the complete performance second centurion Mils Muliaina would have wanted as he entered the record books alongside underpowered captain Richie McCaw, clearly plagued by his ongoing foot problem.
Veteran fullback Muliaina, replaced by Isaia Toeava after 50-minutes, was almost brought to tears during the national anthem.
Slade kick-started a shaky beginning by dropping a regulation pass which forced Conrad Smith to scramble back and save a try.
It summed up Slade's short and erratic evening.
He was unable to ease the nerves left by Carter's void and cement his place as the first-choice playmaker. He was replaced by Manawatu's Aaron Cruden, who linked confidently in his unexpected cameo.
Missing evasive fullback Israel Dagg and powerful utility Richard Kahui, the All Blacks were ragged, disjointed and nervous for large periods.
They looked like a team that had made constant backline changes throughout pool play.
Cohesion was absent, highlighted by their inability to finish chances, other than No.8 Kieran Read and lock Brad Thorn's late scores.
Graham Henry's men weren't able to dictate terms and implement their high-tempo game, a worrying sign ahead of the semifinal against Robbie Deans' Australia.
World No 7 Argentina, keen to engage in the close-quarter combat, put the customary squeeze on at the breakdown.
Their illegal slowing tactics went unpunished by Welsh referee Nigel Owens too long before halfback Nicolas Vergallo was yellow carded with 20-minutes to play.
However, for much of the contest the All Blacks failed to adapt and allowed themselves to be frustrated with the infringing.
To their credit, the Pumas' abrasive and committed defence was tough to crack.
It denied Read as he was pushed out in the corner. Two Cory Jane breaks went unconverted in the first quarter and McCaw placed the ball on an Argentinean boot, rather than at the base of the post, in the second-half.
Luckily, man-of-the-match halfback Piri Weepu stepped up to save the day with seven coolly struck penalties.
He took much of the directional duties with Slade prone and Cruden new to the systems.
Without his assured guidance the All Blacks were in strife. He is now more crucial than ever to the hopes of ending 24-years of angst.
The tenacious Pumas made the most telling statement of the first spell when No 8 Leonardo Senatore stepped Read and broke McCaw's covering tackle, possibly confirming the influential pair's lack of fitness.
That movement finished with blindside flanker Julio Farias Cabello busting through wing Sonny Bill Williams for the surprising opening try. Felipe Contepomi gave his side a shock 7-6 lead after 31-minutes, but Weepu put the hosts back in-front, 12-7, at halftime.
McCaw came off as precaution with eight minutes to play when the game was safe. He had plenty to think about on the bench, with the Wallabies now intent to crack the 17-year Eden Park fortress.
Result:
New Zealand 33 (Kieran Read, Brad Thorn tries; Piri Weepu 7 pen, Aaron Cruden con) Argentina 10 (Julio Farias Cabello try; Felipe Contepomi con, Marcelo Bosch pen). HT: 12-7
RWC 2011 - All Blacks vs Argentina QF4: Argentina v New Zealand
Match Scorecard
New Zealand33
Tries: Kieran Read (1), Brad Thorn (1)
Conversions: Aaron Cruden (1)
Penalty goals: Piri Weepu (7)
Argentina10
Tries: Julio Farias Cabello (1)
Conversions: Felipe Contepomi (1)
Penalty goals: Marcello Bosch (1)
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
New Zealand may be into the semifinals but they could be down to their third-choice pivot after Colin Slade suffered a groin complaint at Eden Park, the same injury that robbed Dan Carter of any further participation in this tournament.
That was the primary talking point a crowd of 57,912 will ponder post-match.
Anxious memories of that shocking night in Cardiff four-years ago will have crept into the consciousness of some, as the All Blacks struggled to shake off the Pumas, who were never expected to get close, until the closing stages.
This was not the complete performance second centurion Mils Muliaina would have wanted as he entered the record books alongside underpowered captain Richie McCaw, clearly plagued by his ongoing foot problem.
Veteran fullback Muliaina, replaced by Isaia Toeava after 50-minutes, was almost brought to tears during the national anthem.
Slade kick-started a shaky beginning by dropping a regulation pass which forced Conrad Smith to scramble back and save a try.
It summed up Slade's short and erratic evening.
He was unable to ease the nerves left by Carter's void and cement his place as the first-choice playmaker. He was replaced by Manawatu's Aaron Cruden, who linked confidently in his unexpected cameo.
Missing evasive fullback Israel Dagg and powerful utility Richard Kahui, the All Blacks were ragged, disjointed and nervous for large periods.
They looked like a team that had made constant backline changes throughout pool play.
Cohesion was absent, highlighted by their inability to finish chances, other than No.8 Kieran Read and lock Brad Thorn's late scores.
Graham Henry's men weren't able to dictate terms and implement their high-tempo game, a worrying sign ahead of the semifinal against Robbie Deans' Australia.
World No 7 Argentina, keen to engage in the close-quarter combat, put the customary squeeze on at the breakdown.
Their illegal slowing tactics went unpunished by Welsh referee Nigel Owens too long before halfback Nicolas Vergallo was yellow carded with 20-minutes to play.
However, for much of the contest the All Blacks failed to adapt and allowed themselves to be frustrated with the infringing.
To their credit, the Pumas' abrasive and committed defence was tough to crack.
It denied Read as he was pushed out in the corner. Two Cory Jane breaks went unconverted in the first quarter and McCaw placed the ball on an Argentinean boot, rather than at the base of the post, in the second-half.
Luckily, man-of-the-match halfback Piri Weepu stepped up to save the day with seven coolly struck penalties.
He took much of the directional duties with Slade prone and Cruden new to the systems.
Without his assured guidance the All Blacks were in strife. He is now more crucial than ever to the hopes of ending 24-years of angst.
The tenacious Pumas made the most telling statement of the first spell when No 8 Leonardo Senatore stepped Read and broke McCaw's covering tackle, possibly confirming the influential pair's lack of fitness.
That movement finished with blindside flanker Julio Farias Cabello busting through wing Sonny Bill Williams for the surprising opening try. Felipe Contepomi gave his side a shock 7-6 lead after 31-minutes, but Weepu put the hosts back in-front, 12-7, at halftime.
McCaw came off as precaution with eight minutes to play when the game was safe. He had plenty to think about on the bench, with the Wallabies now intent to crack the 17-year Eden Park fortress.
Result:
New Zealand 33 (Kieran Read, Brad Thorn tries; Piri Weepu 7 pen, Aaron Cruden con) Argentina 10 (Julio Farias Cabello try; Felipe Contepomi con, Marcelo Bosch pen). HT: 12-7
Monday, October 3, 2011
Experimental All Blacks overpower Canada
Experimental All Blacks overpower Canada
October 2, 2011 - 6:25PM
New Zealand 79 Canada 15
An experimental New Zealand team, missing injured star men Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, wrapped up their World Cup pool play unbeaten after outpowering Canada 79-15 here on Sunday.
MATCH STATS
The All Blacks, who also beat Pool A opponents Tonga (41-10), Japan (83-7) and France (37-17), will now face Argentina in next week's quarter-final in Auckland.
Colin Slade was given the number 10 shirt after Carter was earlier ruled out of the rest of the World Cup with a groin injury, and oversaw a successful early running game from the home side before being moved to the wing to allow Piri Weepu on and then hobbling off in the 65th minute.
McCaw's replacement at openside flanker, Victor Vito, had an enormous game alongside the irrepressible Jerome Kaino and was part of a pack that destroyed the Canadian scrum, a ploy that yielded four tries on against-the-head ball.
There was also a welcome first World Cup appearance for Zac Guildford, who last month had admitted to a drinking problem, the winger scoring four tries and setting up two more tries in this 12-try to two romp.
Canada took the lead with a second-minute Ander Monro penalty but the All Blacks machine got rolling when Slade broke the line and threw out a beautiful 20-metre pass to the fast-advancing Guildford, easily riding Trainor's tackle to touch down in the corner.
The All Blacks attacked Canada at set-piece, Vito the recipient of a ball that popped out of a retreating scrum, the first from a raft of similar scenarios.
Slade missed the conversion but hit a penalty to stretch his side's lead.
Guildford was instrumental in the third try, drawing the defence and passing to Israel Dagg for a simple run-in.
The Canadians looked ragged around the breakdown and when Conrad Smith snatched up a turnover, Jimmy Cowan kicked ahead and Guildford got his second when Trainor made a terrible hash of the clearance.
On the half-hour mark, fullback Mils Muliaina, winning his 99th cap, crossed the whitewash after Guildford was played into space by Kieran Read from another scrum taken against the head.
Guildford grabbed his hat-trick with five minutes of the first-half to play, Sonny Bill Williams splitting the defence and putting in a little dink kick retrieved by Muliaina, who offloaded to the winger.
Trainor bundled over for a well-deserved Canada try on the stroke of half-time to make it 37-8, Ander Monro having missed the conversion.
The Canadian winger then got his brace early in the second period, collecting a loose ball that had been hacked on by Monro.
Cowan hit straight back, Smith played into the gap by a smart Williams offload before passing to the scrum-half.
Kaino crunched his way over after the Canadian scrum again wilted and Williams also scored soon after following some slick hands.
A raft of replacements and positional changes played havoc with any continuity.
Kaino soon got his second from a pushover, Guildford grabbed his fourth and Vito completed his brace with time running out, Weepu kicking four conversions.
NEW ZEALAND 79 (Zac Guildford 4, Jerome Kaino 2, Victor Vito 2, Jimmy Cowan, Israel Dagg, Mils Muliaina, Sonny Bill Williams tries Colin Slade 4, Piri Weepu 4 cons Slade pen) bt CANADA 15 (Conor Trainor 2 tries Ander Monro con pen) at Westpac Stadium. Referee: Romain Poite. Crowd: 37,565.
October 2, 2011 - 6:25PM
New Zealand 79 Canada 15
An experimental New Zealand team, missing injured star men Richie McCaw and Dan Carter, wrapped up their World Cup pool play unbeaten after outpowering Canada 79-15 here on Sunday.
MATCH STATS
The All Blacks, who also beat Pool A opponents Tonga (41-10), Japan (83-7) and France (37-17), will now face Argentina in next week's quarter-final in Auckland.
Colin Slade was given the number 10 shirt after Carter was earlier ruled out of the rest of the World Cup with a groin injury, and oversaw a successful early running game from the home side before being moved to the wing to allow Piri Weepu on and then hobbling off in the 65th minute.
McCaw's replacement at openside flanker, Victor Vito, had an enormous game alongside the irrepressible Jerome Kaino and was part of a pack that destroyed the Canadian scrum, a ploy that yielded four tries on against-the-head ball.
There was also a welcome first World Cup appearance for Zac Guildford, who last month had admitted to a drinking problem, the winger scoring four tries and setting up two more tries in this 12-try to two romp.
Canada took the lead with a second-minute Ander Monro penalty but the All Blacks machine got rolling when Slade broke the line and threw out a beautiful 20-metre pass to the fast-advancing Guildford, easily riding Trainor's tackle to touch down in the corner.
The All Blacks attacked Canada at set-piece, Vito the recipient of a ball that popped out of a retreating scrum, the first from a raft of similar scenarios.
Slade missed the conversion but hit a penalty to stretch his side's lead.
Guildford was instrumental in the third try, drawing the defence and passing to Israel Dagg for a simple run-in.
The Canadians looked ragged around the breakdown and when Conrad Smith snatched up a turnover, Jimmy Cowan kicked ahead and Guildford got his second when Trainor made a terrible hash of the clearance.
On the half-hour mark, fullback Mils Muliaina, winning his 99th cap, crossed the whitewash after Guildford was played into space by Kieran Read from another scrum taken against the head.
Guildford grabbed his hat-trick with five minutes of the first-half to play, Sonny Bill Williams splitting the defence and putting in a little dink kick retrieved by Muliaina, who offloaded to the winger.
Trainor bundled over for a well-deserved Canada try on the stroke of half-time to make it 37-8, Ander Monro having missed the conversion.
The Canadian winger then got his brace early in the second period, collecting a loose ball that had been hacked on by Monro.
Cowan hit straight back, Smith played into the gap by a smart Williams offload before passing to the scrum-half.
Kaino crunched his way over after the Canadian scrum again wilted and Williams also scored soon after following some slick hands.
A raft of replacements and positional changes played havoc with any continuity.
Kaino soon got his second from a pushover, Guildford grabbed his fourth and Vito completed his brace with time running out, Weepu kicking four conversions.
NEW ZEALAND 79 (Zac Guildford 4, Jerome Kaino 2, Victor Vito 2, Jimmy Cowan, Israel Dagg, Mils Muliaina, Sonny Bill Williams tries Colin Slade 4, Piri Weepu 4 cons Slade pen) bt CANADA 15 (Conor Trainor 2 tries Ander Monro con pen) at Westpac Stadium. Referee: Romain Poite. Crowd: 37,565.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
McCaw hails clinical All Blacks
Former All Blacks captain Jock Hobbs presented Richie McCaw with a special cap to mark his 100th appearance
AUCKLAND, 24 Sept. - New Zealand captain Richie McCaw hailed his team's performance after the All Blacks swept to a 37-17 victory over France at Eden Park on Saturday.
Tries from number 8 Adam Thomson and wing Cory Jane put the All Blacks in control before full back Israel Dagg struck either side of half-time.
The French hit back through Maxime Mermoz and Francois Trinh-Duc but the Kiwis confirmed their superiority with a fifth try from Sonny Bill Williams.
McCaw - who was awarded a special cap to mark his 100th international appearance - said: "We realised we had to take a step up this week.
"We had to absorb a fair bit early on and I was proud of the way the boys did that. When we got the opportunity we put the points on the board.
"The boys held their cool and when we had a chance we took it. I'm very happy with the way things went."
Thrilling burst
Fly half Morgan Parra saw a drop kick crash off an upright after three minutes as France pinned the All Blacks back in the early stages.
But New Zealand weathered the storm and went ahead in the ninth minute when Thomson got on the end of a move inspired by a Ma'a Nonu burst and sidestep to touch down at the corner. Fly half Dan Carter missed the conversion.
Jane extended the lead after 17 minutes when he took a superb pass from Piri Weepu to scythe through the French rearguard for try No.2. This time Carter made no mistake with his kick.
Les Bleus were in disarray four minutes later when Dagg took Carter's pass in acres of space and crossed under the posts to make it 17-0. Carter again added the extras.
New Zealand replaced Jane with Williams after 34 minutes.
Stunning drop goal
France got on the scoresheet with a penalty from Dimitri Yachvili as half-time approached.
Dagg scored his second try within a minute of the restart after a sweeping move. Carter landed his third conversion of the evening to put the All Blacks 26-3 in front.
The fly half made it four kicks from five attempts when he sent over a long-range penalty.
France hit back when centre Mermoz intercepted a Carter pass to race home. Yachvili's conversion took his side's points tally into double figures.
But Carter banged another stunning drop goal through the posts to take him to 109 points for the tournament.
Replacement Trinh-Duc scored a second try for the French in the 75th minute only to see Williams race through to dive over at the other end almost immediately.
AUCKLAND, 24 Sept. - New Zealand captain Richie McCaw hailed his team's performance after the All Blacks swept to a 37-17 victory over France at Eden Park on Saturday.
Tries from number 8 Adam Thomson and wing Cory Jane put the All Blacks in control before full back Israel Dagg struck either side of half-time.
The French hit back through Maxime Mermoz and Francois Trinh-Duc but the Kiwis confirmed their superiority with a fifth try from Sonny Bill Williams.
McCaw - who was awarded a special cap to mark his 100th international appearance - said: "We realised we had to take a step up this week.
"We had to absorb a fair bit early on and I was proud of the way the boys did that. When we got the opportunity we put the points on the board.
"The boys held their cool and when we had a chance we took it. I'm very happy with the way things went."
Thrilling burst
Fly half Morgan Parra saw a drop kick crash off an upright after three minutes as France pinned the All Blacks back in the early stages.
But New Zealand weathered the storm and went ahead in the ninth minute when Thomson got on the end of a move inspired by a Ma'a Nonu burst and sidestep to touch down at the corner. Fly half Dan Carter missed the conversion.
Jane extended the lead after 17 minutes when he took a superb pass from Piri Weepu to scythe through the French rearguard for try No.2. This time Carter made no mistake with his kick.
Les Bleus were in disarray four minutes later when Dagg took Carter's pass in acres of space and crossed under the posts to make it 17-0. Carter again added the extras.
New Zealand replaced Jane with Williams after 34 minutes.
Stunning drop goal
France got on the scoresheet with a penalty from Dimitri Yachvili as half-time approached.
Dagg scored his second try within a minute of the restart after a sweeping move. Carter landed his third conversion of the evening to put the All Blacks 26-3 in front.
The fly half made it four kicks from five attempts when he sent over a long-range penalty.
France hit back when centre Mermoz intercepted a Carter pass to race home. Yachvili's conversion took his side's points tally into double figures.
But Carter banged another stunning drop goal through the posts to take him to 109 points for the tournament.
Replacement Trinh-Duc scored a second try for the French in the 75th minute only to see Williams race through to dive over at the other end almost immediately.
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