The All Blacks reacted to the bad news of the last 24 hours by running twelve tries past Canada to win 79-15 in Wellington on Sunday.
Wing Zac Guildford grabbed four tries as Canada were unable able to cope with the pace at which New Zealand launched attack after attack.
With superstar fly-half Dan Carter having been ruled out of the tournament and captain Richie McCaw forced to watch from the stands due to a foot injury, a big win was just what the doctor ordered.
Speaking of doctors, the All Blacks medical staff have more work to do after Colin Slade left the scene early with a slight ankle injury.
But we'll focus on the positives here and there were plenty for the tournament hosts -- as you would expected from a team that scores 79 points.
Top of that list will be the scrum which continues to impress and was rewarded with a push-over try, a rare sight in Test rugby these days.
It wasn't all bad news for the visitors though as Conor Trainor became the first Canadian to score two tries against the All Blacks. And they were just reward for Canada's efforts -- not just at Wellington Regional Stadium, but over the last three weeks.
Canada were first to score when Ander Monro slotted an early penalty, but it was one-way traffic for 70 of the remaining 78 minutes. New Zealand led 37-8 at break.
Victor Vito and Jerome Kaino also bagged two tries apiece as the All Blacks completed the pool stages with a perfect record of four bonus-point wins from as many starts. What way to celebrate the coaching staff's 100th game and carry momentum into the quarter-finals, where they will meet Argentina.
Man of the match: A few candidates here, and you have to mention Guildford, who not only scored four tries but had a hand in setting up a couple more. But the gong goes to Jerome Kaino, who not only scored two tries of his own, but ruled the breakdown area with an iron fist.
Moment of the match: We expected New Zealand to win easily and no one would have been surprised by any of their tries. For us the highlight came early in the second half when Canada capped a purple patch with Conor Trainor's second try. Not many people claim a brace against the world's best team -- well done lad.
Villain of the match: Nothing to see here ... move along.
The scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: Guildford 4, Vito 2, Dagg, Muliaina, Cowan, Kaino 2, Williams
Cons: Slade 4, Weepu 4
Pen: Slade
For Canada:
Tries: Trainor 2
Con: Monro
Pen: Monro
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Zac Guildford, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Victor Vito, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Samuel Whitelock, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Andrew Hore (c), 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Brad Thorn, 19 Anthony Boric, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Isaia Toeava.
Canada: 15 Matt Evans, 14 Conor Trainor, 13 DTH Van Der Merwe, 12 Ryan Smith, 11 Phil Mackenzie, 10 Ander Monro, 9 Ed Fairhurst, 8 Aaron Carpenter, 7 Chauncey O'Toole, 6 Adam Kleeberger, 5 Jamie Cudmore, 4 Jebb Sinclair, 3 Jason Marshall, 2 Pat Riordan (c), 1 Hubert Buydens.
Replacements: 16 Ryan Hamilton, 17 Scott Franklin, 18 Andrew Tiedemann, 19 Tyler Hotson, 20 Nanyak Dala, 21 Sean White, 22 Nathan Hirayama.
Venue: Wellington Regional Stadium
Referee: Romain Poite (France)
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