MELBOURNE, 18 October 2003 — Utility back Mils Muliaina scored his first four international Test tries as New Zealand romped to a 68-6 World Cup Pool D victory over Canada yesterday.
Muliaina finished off brilliant moves in the 32nd, 46th, 48th and 73rd minutes for four of the 10 tries scored by the tournament favorites. Winger Caleb Ralph (two), number eight Rodney So’oialo (two), Kees Meeuws and center Ma’a Nonu also scored while center Daniel Carter kicked nine conversions. Meeuws’ eighth international try equaled the world record for a prop.
Despite the ease of the victory, the All Blacks played well in patches only and had trouble executing their game plan as the Canadians continually frustrated them.
However, the All Blacks were also architects of their own inability to stamp their pattern on the game as they turned the ball over constantly either in the tackle or by forcing the pass.
But once again they scored some brilliant counterattacking tries with the first coming from a turnover from inside their own 22 with Carlos Spencer receiving the ball from Leon MacDonald, chipping ahead, regathering then chipping ahead again for Ralph to outstrip Quentin Fyffe to the ball and dot down in the 18th minute.
They extended their lead when, after a superb cut by Nonu, and a desperate lunge by MacDonald, So’oialo spun off the back of a ruck to score his first international try.
Muliaina scored another breathtaking try after MacDonald broke out from inside his own half and chipped ahead for the Aucklander to score in the corner less than five minutes later.
The All Blacks then scored the try of the half as the Canadians turned the ball over, So’oialo sensing the space in midfield swung a wide pass to Carter who fed Spencer who then ran for 40 meters before flicking back inside to the Wellington number eight who ran unopposed from the 10-meter line to score under the posts.
Carter converted to give the All Blacks a bonus point and a 28-3 lead at halftime.
They continued the rout five minutes into the second half when Muliaina grabbed his second try after a superb inside flick pass by lock Brad Thorn before he outsprinted the cover defense five minutes later for his third. Meeuws then grabbed his eighth international try and Muliaina snatched his fourth of the day.
