Kaino scored two tries and showed his immense power as he dominated the middle sections of the ground.
After the dramatic pre-match announcement that Daniel Carter was out of the tournament, inspection of Colin Slade's performance ramped up even further.
He looked what he is.
A competent player with the range of skills and temperament needed for test football but someone without a significant reservoir of experience to rely on.
He had a scratchy start when a kick was charged down and his radar struggled, though he ended with five successes from nine before he was subbed by Brad Thorn.
That change was part of a strange series of switches made by the All Black coaches as they juggled minor injuries and the need to give some players a run.
Slade's time at five-eighths lasted 50 minutes before Piri Weepu took over that role and also the goalkicking.
He looked accomplished and comfortable but that work had to be judged against a tiring Canadian defence.
Had Carter not been injured, Slade was earmarked to come on as his deputy, so when the decision to start him was forced on the All Black selectors it seemed strange they did not use the chance to give Slade the entire game.
Bringing Weepu on suggested there is selection indecision about the best remedy to fill the vacancy left by Carter's tournament departure.
The late shifts produced a captaincy promotion for Andrew Hore, who was content with the scrum and lineout components of the game but not so happy with things like kickoff receptions.
Carter's absence had hardened the team's resolve because they understood the huge contributions he made to the team environment, Hore said.
"It is pretty hard to replace a special player but you've just got to get round that and make sure the others of us make it okay for whoever plays No 10."
He said left wing Zac Guildford had done himself some real good with his four tries.
Carter's injury exit pushed the All Blacks price with the TAB out 10 cents yesterday to $1.60 to win the Cup.
While they did not play a gem of a game, the power and polish the All Blacks can deliver was all there in the 12-try blast against Canada.
Coach Graham Henry was certain Slade, Israel Dagg, Mils Muliaina and Tony Woodcock, who all went off with various strains and dents, would be available for Sunday's last quarter-final at Eden Park against Argentina.
The coach and his cohorts have an array of selection decisions though.
Ali Williams looked strong in the air but without the same punch carrying the ball, Read needs more football to get in the groove and the backline remains an all sorts jigsaw.
In his 50th test, Jimmy Cowan gave a variety of passes to and beyond the reception committees, and Sonny Bill Williams made some crunching hits and breaks but also wavered on the next move.
It was that sort of night, one which gave the All Black selectors a mass of backline ideas for their quarter-final but few conclusive decisions.
All Blacks: 79 (Z Guildford 4, J Kaino 2, V Vito 2, M Muliaina, I Dagg, S Williams, J Cowan, tries; C Slade 4 con, pen, P Weepu 4 con.)
Canada: 15 (C Trainor 2 tries; A Munro pen, con)
Halftime: 37-8
