KEY POINTS:
EDINBURGH - While rejoicing in his new status atop All Blacks rugby, winger Doug Howlett found time to deliver a stern warning to his World Cup teammates in the aftermath of their underwhelming 40-0 rout of Scotland here yesterday.
Howlett scored two of New Zealand's six tries in
an error-ridden pool display at Murrayfield.
It took his test tally to 48, two clear of fullback Christian Cullen's record number of tries for the All Blacks.
Howlett expressed relief and happiness at his achievement before putting on his critic's hat when analysing New Zealand's performance against a second-string Scottish side who did little other than defend and disrupt.
"We'll look at this and learn a lot from how the Scottish team defended against us today," Howlett said
"It's four more games (in the tournament). We don't want to get ahead of ourselves but moving forward we'll have to play a lot better than we did today."
After dominating the set pieces and 68 per cent of territory, the All Blacks should have won by more but paid for an abysmal error count, which numbered 20 in handling mistakes alone.
At least four clear tryscoring chances were blown and first five-eighth Daniel Carter landed just four from nine attempts at goal, suggesting the final scoreline could have potentially been doubled.
Howlett couldn't explain the handling lapses - most notably from his wing counterpart Sitiveni Sivivatu - but reckoned such boo boos would be very costly from the quarterfinals onwards.
"There were a few sitters that were dropped and if that's individuals not preparing, I'm not sure," Howlett said.
"The Scottish put a lot of pressure on us and mistakes happen. It's difficult at times but ... we have to stop that happening."
The All Blacks, who have developed a reputation for taking all their scoring chances, spent a massive 12 minutes in their opponents' 22m area and forced them into attempting 146 tackles, more than double their own 69.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry was delighted by his team's set-piece work which had been a strong focus in the leadup but said the mistake rate with ball in hand was unacceptable.
The players didn't adapt to the step up in intensity after tournament-opening canters against Italy and Portugal.
"We played a side that was a very competent side. They were up for it, they put a lot of pressure on us when we had the ball, they were very physical, we were not used to that from the first few games we played," Henry said.
"I think that's a good learning curve, a good lesson at this point in time in the tournament."
The All Blacks players refused to blame their faults on the respective team uniforms, with New Zealand's changed grey and black strip bearing an uncanny resemblance to Scotland's dark blue and grey.
Howlett said the jerseys were more alike than he had anticipated.
"Once you got into the game, you had to sight your targets and make sure it was a grey jersey as opposed to a Scottish jersey."
Second five-eighth Luke McAlister wouldn't blame the jersey after ignoring Howlett on his inside when making a long-range break. Play broke down when McAlister instead tried outside him.
"Dougie told me off after that, it would have been his third (try)," McAlister said.
The All Blacks, who are guaranteed to top pool C and play their quarterfinal in Cardiff, were a class above the inexperienced Scots said their captain Scott Murray.
"They're right up there, they're pretty sharp and they gave us a lot of problems in the scrum especially," Murray said.
"Some of our defence was outstanding but you can't make mistakes against the All Blacks like that."
New Zealand scored 20 points and three tries in each half.
The other tries went to industrious captain Richie McCaw in the fifth minute, halfback Byron Kelleher, lock Ali Williams and Carter.
Howlett's double came via typical support play and punishing straight line speed.
He moves level with Australian Drew Mitchell, Frenchman Vincent Clerc and Welsh flyer Shane Williams - all wingers - on five tries for the tournament.
Howlett, who scored seven tries at the 2003 tournament is now on 12 in World Cups, lifting him to second place in Cup tryscoring history and three behind All Blacks great Jonah Lomu.
"I've said to myself that I just want to enjoy my last time in the All Blacks jersey," said the Munster-bound Howlett, who said it was a relief to finally reach the long-awaited target.
"There was so much media around it and now that I've achieved it I can finally enjoy it.
"If I get the opportunity, I'd love to add to it before I hang up my All Black jersey.
"That's part of an All Black, being challenged all the time."
Meanwhile, Henry today pronounced lock Keith Robinson fit enough to make his first appearance of the tournament after recovering from a calf strain. He will lace up for the final pool game against Romania in Toulouse on Sunday morning (NZ time).
Seemingly less certain is the fitness of fullback Mils Muliaina, whose hamstring strain may see Henry keep him out for an other week.
Complicating things was the sight of the other fullback option, Leon MacDonald, hobbling off in the opening quarter with a bruised thigh which is diagnosed to take four days to repair.
- NZPA