KEY POINTS:
Mils Muliaina scored three tries against his country of birth, as the All Blacks lead Manu Samoa 47-7 after the first half at Yarrow Stadium in New Plymouth tonight.
All Black fullback Muliana opened his try tally inside the first five minutes after Samoa couldn't sustain constant All Black attacks on their try line.
All Black openside flanker Adam Thomson soon followed up the opener with a five pointer of his own, finishing off an All Blacks counter attack which began in their own 22.
Muliana added his second try minutes later with Smith touching down for his first try of the half a few minutes later.
Samoa responded with their first try of the night to first five eighth Uale Mai, which he steadily converted.
It was only to be a temporary stutter to the All Blacks try scoring feats of the first half as Cowan, Smith and Muliaina all scored their first, second and third tries to close out the half.
All Blacks 47 (Muliaina 3, Smith 2, Thomson, Cowan. Carter 6 cons)
Samoa 7 ( Mai. Mai Cons)
-NZ HERALD STAFF
