HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES PHIL WALTER/GETTY IMAGES HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES ANDREW CORNAGA/PHOTOSPORT HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES Phil Walter HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES ANDREW CORNAGA/PHOTOSPORT Hannah Peters HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES

Jordie and Beauden Barrett smile after a dominating performance against Samoa.

Julian Savea makes a break for it.

Israel Dagg dives to score a try.

Israel Dagg celebrates with Ben Smith after scoring a try.

Kieron Fonotia of Samoa tries to push the ABs back.

Sonny Bill Williams scores a try.

Ardie Savea runs away to score a try.

Despite putting up a fight, Samoa was scoreless at half-time.

Beauden Barrett celebrates after scoring a try with Israel Dagg.

Beauden Barrett goes on the attack.

Codie Taylor charges forward.

Anton Lienert-Brown scores the first try of the match.

Scott Barrett, Jordie Barrett and Beauden Barrett stand together on the pitch.

Jerome Kaino and Ben Smith of the All Blacks perform the haka ahead of the International Test match against Samoa.

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The "truly ominous" All Blacks have sent a "chilling message" to the Lions after routing Samoa, according to British media.

The Lions play New Zealand Maori in Rotorua on Saturday after the All Blacks ran in 12 tries to thrash Samoa 78-0 at Eden Park on Friday.

The first test of the Lions series is back at the same venue next Saturday and Warren Gatland's men should "be afraid, very afraid" writes Mick Cleary in the Telegraph.

HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES

Ben Smith, left, and Israel Dagg celebrate the later's try against Samoa on Friday night.

"There was no evidence that Gatland was peeping out from behind his hands by the end of this exhilarating exhibition," he said.

READ MORE
* All Blacks pound Samoa in 78-0 win
* As it happened: All Blacks v Samoa
* Key moments: All Blacks v Samoa
* ABs will keep feet on the ground despite domination
* How the All Blacks rated against Samoa

"He would have been entitled to as there were no chinks to be seen, no lack of cohesion, no sense of easing into the international season, only evidence that the All Blacks are picking up from where they left off seven months ago, slick, assured, audacious and irresistible."

The Press Association headline read "chilling message" for Lions when describing the All Blacks' victory over Samoa.

Chris Foy wrote for the Daily Mail: "Ominous, truly ominous. If this is what the All Blacks are like when they are rusty, heaven knows what awaits the Lions in eight days' time.

FIONA GOODALL/GETTY IMAGES

All Black captain Ben Smith, centre, Jerome Kaino, left, and Beauden Barrett enjoy the All Blacks' 78-0 win against Samoa.

"By the end, the hosts were in full Harlem Globetrotters mode against broken opponents. Their skills are breath-taking to behold – although that view may not be shared by those who were watching at Lions HQ in Rotorua," Foy added. 

Writing for the Telegraph, Charlie Morgan said the blowout win was a "stark message" for Lions coach Warren Gatland. 

Morgan labelled the All Blacks' attack, which scored eight tries in the second half, as "imperious". 

HANNAH PETERS/GETTY IMAGES

All Blacks No 8 Ardie Savea scored one of his team's 12 tries against Samoa.

He also singled out lock Brodie Retallick, who helped the All Blacks' lineout to a perfect night (9/9 on own throw), for his "immense" performance. 

"The All Blacks' opening game of the season was about as word-perfect as they could have hoped," wrote Owen Slot in The Times. 

"They scored 12 tries, they did not concede a point, they looked slick, they scored tries from broken play and then scored tries from first phase too.

The Guardian described the result as "embarrassing" for Samoa, but said the match would have almost no resemblance to the first test next Saturday.

"At least, British and Irish fans will be hoping that's the case because this match was so lopsided it was tricky to tell how good the All Blacks were and how poor Samoa was."

 - Stuff