A rampant New Zealand ran in 15 tries against a depleted Manu Samoa in a 101-14 mauling to make the most of their last chance to prepare for next week’s Tri-Nations decider against Australia in Brisbane.
The All Blacks had organised the match in a bid to provide their players with some much-needed match practice, having not played since their 19-0 win against South Africa on August 16.
And the game served its purpose with full-back Mils Muliaina running in a hat-trick, despite only playing a half, while centre Conrad Smith and wing Richard Kahui each crossed the whitewash twice.
The inexperience of the Samoan side, shorn of their European-based players and therefore consisting mainly of players who have only been playing club rugby in Samoa, was borne out with the All Blacks winning at a canter.
However, the visitors made their own contribution with fly-half Uale Mai scoring a deserved try during the first half and flanker Alafoti Faosiliva crossing for one of the tries of the evening just before full-time.
The All Blacks had the final say with replacement half-back Piri Weepu crossing for the try that allowed replacement fly-half Stephen Donald to land his seventh conversion, one more than Dan Carter had kicked during the first 40 minutes, and move the score over 100.
