12.30AM
ALL BLACKS 68 CANADA 6
MELBOURNE - If Tana Umaga is ruled out of the rugby World Cup with his knee ligament injury next week, his Wellington teammate Ma'a Nonu put up his hand to be his replacement as the All Blacks' front line centre with a sizzling display against Canada
here tonight.
Nonu was a key figure as the All Blacks routed a valiant Canada 68-6 at Telstra Dome. He made three of the team's four line breaks in the first half, helping to advance the All Blacks' cause after a rusty start.
He set up Rodney So'oialo's first try and he also played a key hand in two backline tries during the first spell with slick running and passing.
Nonu and second five-eighth Daniel Carter, both 21, formed New Zealand's youngest midfield combinations in a test match for 13 years and gelled well, with Nonu's angled running causing the Canadian backline headaches.
In the second half, another line break by Nonu set winger Mils Muliaina up for 50m run for a try early in the second half and he also delivered the final pass to Muliaina for his try in the 73rd minute.
He capped it off with the final try of the match with a charge at the line after the All Blacks pounded at the Canadians after a tap penalty.
Nonu was also a punishing figure on defence, with some Umaga-like bone jolting tackles, but he was guilty of a few spilled passes and was stood up badly by Canadian right winger Matt King midway through the second half, which will no doubt come under scrutiny by the selectors.
Carter was a steadying influence in the backline and gave a commanding kicking performance, landing nine out of 10 conversions. He missed a penalty early in the match.
- NZPA
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