The All Blacks have crushed Canada 79-15 in their final pool game at the Rugby World Cup to go some way to lifting the cloud hanging over the squad after Dan Carter was ruled out of the rest of the tournament.
The All Blacks, captained by hooker Andrew Hore for the first time in the absence of injured Richie McCaw, ran in 12 tries to 2 in the Pool A romp.
Winger Zac Guildford went some way to banishing his demons with a superb four try performance and Victor Vito filled in well for McCaw on the side of the scrum.
The All Blacks led 37-8 at halftime and could have been ahead by more if it wasn't for first five eighth Colin Slade, who had a solid but uninspiring game, missing several conversions.
Reserve Piri Weepu came on at first five eighth in the second half and put in another rousing performance at number 10 to give the All Blacks coaches plenty to think about in terms of who will be their first choice first five eighth for the knockout stages of the tournament.
Guildford scored a first-half hat-trick and added a brilliant fourth late on, as Victor Vito (2), Israel Dagg, Jimmy Cowan, Jerome Kaino (2), Sonny Boy Williams and, on his 99th appearance, Mils Muliaina also crossed.
"You can't lie about it, he's going to be hard to replace because he's a special player," captain Andrew Hore said of Carter after the match.
"We just have to get around there and make it easy for the guy wearing number 10. We played pretty well and if we keep building like that we will go a long way to winning this thing."
Canada, who beat Tonga and drew with Japan to finish fourth in the pool, fought manfully and were rewarded with two tries for winger Conor Trainor either side of halftime.
"It's a bit disappointing the way we finished here today but I'm really pleased with the guys, the way they played as a team and as individuals," Canada captain Pat Riordan said.
"It was awesome but we'd talked about making the most of the opportunity and Conor's tries were great for him."
Scorers
New Zealand: Tries: Zac Guildford 4, Victor Vito 2, Jerome Kaiano 2, Israel Dagg, Mils Muliaina, Jimmy Cowan, Sonny Boy Williams. Penalty: Colin Slade. Conversions: Slade 4, Piri Weepu 4.
Canada: Tries: Conor Trainor 2. Penalty: Ander Monro. Conversion: Monro.
Referee: Romain Poite (France).
