Carter 'getting better and better', says Wales coach

Dan Carter tallied up 26 points, a new record for an individual All Black against Wales. Warren Little / Getty Images

CARDIFF - Dan Carter made an immediate impact on his return to test action after breaking his leg in August, scoring two tries and kicking 16 points as New Zealand launched their European tour with a 41-3 drubbing of Wales.

His performance in the second British and Irish Lions test in July was hailed as the most complete by an outside half in rugby history as he scored two tries and kicked 23 points to help New Zealand claim the series with a 48-18 victory.

This morning's (NZT) display was not quite that good, but the first five-eighths contributed 26 points to his team's total with his brace of tries and seven kicks from seven attempts, many from the widest of angles.

All Black assistant coach Wayne Smith believes the 23-year-old can get even better.

"He's a class act, there's no doubt about that," said Smith. "He's also got a few years ahead of him.

"He's still got improvements he can make on his game and he's prepared to make them. He's quite a humble kid and we've got just got to keep his feet on the ground.

"If he can improve on his strengths, he'll be an even better player."

Wales coach Mike Ruddock felt Carter's kicking from the hand had been a significant factor in the defeat.

"He's still a fine footballer and he's getting better and better and better," said the Welshman. "His kicking today just drove is back. Whenever we did try and play our game, he just drove us back.

"He put us in the corners when he needed to, got his backline going when he needed to, took the ball up when he needed to -- he's a great player."

Head coach Graham Henry was delighted with his team after they handed Wales their worst defeat in Cardiff and added the Six Nations champions to a list of beaten opponents this year that also includes the Lions, South Africa and Australia.

"The guys played exceptionally well, we were delighted with how they played," he said. "They prepared really well all week, they prepared well as individuals and produced a great performance.

"The Welsh defended superbly in the first half but they were missing a lot of key players and that made it difficult for them," Henry added.

The New Zealand coaches were pleased with the debuts of the two latest All Blacks, flanker Chris Masoe and loosehead prop Neemia Tialata.

"I thought he had an outstanding game," Henry said of Masoe. "He got a lot of turnover ball and I think he'll play a lot of games for the All Blacks."

Forwards coach Steve Hansen said of Tialata: "He went well, he'll take a lot out of the game."

Skipper Tana Umaga made a few uncharacteristic mistakes in the first half and said he thought the whole team would improve when they face Ireland, England and Scotland over the next three weekends in their bid to become the second All Black side in history to record a grand slam.

"We're all better with a game under our belts, we've got a good win," he said.

- REUTERS