KEY POINTS:
All Blacks coach Graham Henry has defended the test match status of last night's 101-14 record rugby annihilation of Samoa, believing more positives than negatives emerged from the lopsided fixture.
Henry was forced to defend the value of the game against hopelessly under-strength opponents during the buildup this week and leapt into overdrive after the 15 tries-to-two romp which saw New Zealand compile a test century for just the fifth time.
It provided a hitout ahead of next week's Tri-Nations decider against Australia in Brisbane and an entertaining spectacle for 22,500 people crammed into Yarrow Stadium for the first All Blacks test in New Plymouth.
Henry quashed a suggestion that the glorified training run didn't deserve to be called a test.
"Where is the line drawn at what should be a test and what shouldn't be a test?" Henry said.
"I think it would be belittling for the Samoan boys if you didn't make it test status.
"At the World Cup we played Romania and Portugal and I'd imagine this Samoan team would give those two teams a real good game and probably win."
The New Zealand forwards crushed their opposites at the scrum and breakdown, freeing up the sort of space not often seen at test level.
Fullback Mils Muliaina profited with a hat-trick of tries, before being replaced at halftime, while there was a brace to winger Richard Kahui and centre Conrad Smith.
Individual tryscorers were flanker Adam Thomson, halfback Jimmy Cowan, lock Ali Williams, flanker Jerome Kaino and reserve backs Stephen Donald, Isaia Toeava and Piri Weepu. There was also a penalty try.
First five-eighth Daniel Carter and his halftime replacement Stephen Donald both missed one conversion, finishing with 12 and 14 points respectively.
The Apia West union had reason to celebrate, providing both the visitors' tryscorers. First five-eighth Uale Mai and flanker Alafoti Faosiliva ensured Samoa crossed twice for the first time in five heavy test losses to New Zealand.
The intensity was a world away from what to expect in Brisbane, something acknowledged by veteran prop Greg Somerville after his final test on home soil.
"With all respect to the Samoans, they haven't had a lot of time to prepare," he said.
"You can't put them in the same league as the Aussies, that would be a bit unfair.
"We got the running into our legs that we needed before we play Aussie. It's definitely better than having nothing at all... it was better than hitting the scrum machine."
Samoan-born Muliaina believed the game served its purpose and said he found the occasion more emotional than he had expected.
"I didn't actually realise (how much so) until the Samoan national anthem was played," he said.
"It was pretty special to play against the country where you were born. With mum being from there, it was a special night, I'm just pleased with how the guys got out there and did it."
It was a no-win affair for the All Blacks, coming up against opponents featuring 10 players in their starting 15 from the Samoan domestic competition.
Visiting skipper Filipo Levi said the step up was too great for his players to make, particularly as they had limited time to prepare.
Nevertheless, the outcome was a shock to the veteran former Highlanders lock.
"It is weird for me. It is the first time I have had such a big loss in a test match," he said.
"There are no excuses, we just fell short and the All Blacks were just too good.
"It is still good for the guys to experience this match against the All Blacks and hopefully we can get better and play them more often, rather than every 10 years."
HIGHEST-SCORING ALL BLACKS TESTS
145-17: v Japan at Bloemfontein, 1995
108-13: v Portugal at Lyon, 2007
102-0: v Tonga at Albany 2000
101-3: v Italy at Huddersfield, 1999
101-14: v SAMOA AT NEW PLYMOUTH, 2008
93-8: v Argentina at Wellington, 1997
91-0: v Fiji at Albany, 2005
91-7: v Tonga at Brisbane, 2003
- NZPA
