NZ inflict record rout on Samoa

New Zealand warmed up for their Tri-Nations title decider against Australia on 13 September by inflicting a record ever Test defeat on Samoa.

The All Blacks racked up 15 tries in a 101-14 victory in New Plymouth, surpassing their own previous record win against Samoa of 71-13 in 1999.

It also beat Australia's 74-7, 2005 win over Samoa, their previous worst loss.

Mils Muliaina grabbed a hat-trick of tries for New Zealand, with Conrad Smith and Richard Kahui two apiece.

Adam Thomson, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Ali Williams, Jerome Kaino, Isaia Toeava and Piri Weepu also crossed the line, with the Samoans also conceding a penalty try.

Dan Carter landed six conversions, his replacement Stephen Donald seven.

Fly-half Uale Mai and flanker Alafoti Faosiliva collected a try apiece for a largely second-string Samoan side, playing only their fifth ever Test against the All Blacks.

It was little more than a training exercise for the hosts, who face the Wallabies in Brisbane a week on Saturday in a winner-takes-all match that will decide this year's Tri-Nations.

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