New Zealand started their international season with a comprehensive 60-14 win over Fiji on Friday, in the last ever Test match to be played at the iconic Carisbrook, in Dunedin.
The Fijians, who were not expected to pose a serious threat to the under-strength All Black outfit, will celebrate the fact that it was the smallest margin ever against their Pacific rivals.
The 46-point margin is the first time they had not lost by 50 points or more to the Kiwis.
However, the game was more about how this year's World Cup hosts, New Zealand, would play.
And they will admit that it was not a perfect start - a scrappy game, riddled with errors from both sides.
The All Blacks, who outscored Fiji by eight tries to two, had a slow start and held a slender 8-0 lead at the end of the first quarter - before scoring three late first-half tries for a 32-0 lead at the break.
Despite scoring four more tries in the second half, Fiji looked far more competitive after the break - a period in which two converted tries in the last five minutes (including a penalty try) finally took the score beyond the 50-point mark.
The scorers:
For New Zealand:
Tries: Sivivatu, Slade, Hore, Thomson, Smith, Weepu, Penalty try, Muliaina
Cons: Slade 4, Carter 3
Pens: Slade 2
For Fiji:
Tries: Serelevu, Goneva
Cons: Bai 2
Teams:
New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Zac Guildford, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Colin Slade, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Liam Messam, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Adam Thomson, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Jarrad Hoeata, 3 Ben Franks, 2 Andrew Hore, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 John Afoa, 18 Samuel Whitelock, 19 Jerome Kaino, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Daniel Carter, 22 Ben Smith.
Fiji: 15 Iliesa Keresoni, 14 Timoci Naqusa, 13 Albert Vulivuli, 12 Ravai Fatiaki, 11 Naipolioni Nalaga, 10 Seremaia Baikeinuku, 9 Nemia Serelevu, 8 Sakiusa Matadigo, 7 Akapusi Qera, 6 Dominiko Waqaniburotu, 5 Rupeni Nasiga, 4 Sekonaia Kalou, 3 Deacon Manu (captain), 2 Sunia Koto, 1 Campese Ma'afu.
Replacements: 16 Viliame Veikoso, 17 Setefano Somoca, 18 Josefa Domolailai, 19 Malakai Ravulo, 20 Vitori Buatava, 21 Taniela Rawaqa, 22 Vereniki Goneva.
Referee: Stuart Dickinson (Australia)
Assistant referees: Steve Walsh (Australia), James Leckie (Australia)
TMO: George Ayoub (Australia)
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