MELBOURNE, Oct 17: All Blacks coach John Mitchell said pre-match talk that his side’s World Cup pool D game against Canada would be a walkover had been proved wrong despite a 68-6 win on Friday.

The All Blacks had thrashed Italy 70-7 while looking rusty in their opening game, while Canada were beaten 41-10 by Wales, leaving observers to question whether Mitchell’s side would get any hard games in the pool before the knockout phase.

Canada provided strong early resistance and the All Blacks were kept scoreless until the 20th minute when Caleb Ralph followed up a chip ahead by flyhalf Carlos Spencer.

An angry Canada coach David Clark turned on the media saying that he had been misrepresented by claiming the team he had sent out against the All Blacks was a second-string side.

Clark said he felt the All Blacks had paid Canada an enormous compliment by bringing on Doug Howlett for the last 15 minutes of the match.—Reuters