New Zealand lived up to their billing as favourites to lift the Webb Ellis Cup with an impressive display of ball in hand rugby to record a 70-7 victory over Pool D rivals Italy at the Telstra Dome in Melbourne.
The All Blacks, who went ahead as early as the first minute after a penalty by fly half Carlos Spencer, ran in 11 tries in the match and clinched the first bonus point in Rugby World Cup history two minutes before half time.
This was only one record to fall to New Zealand under the closed retractable roof of the Telstra Dome though with Spencer’s opening penalty bringing up 7,000 points in the Tournament’s history.
However Italy could draw positives from the game, the Azzurri defence having held firm for long periods in the first half and their attack having created some good opportunities.
Gert Peens was a danger from full back with centre pairing Matteo Barbini and Andrea Masi putting in some hard hitting tackles throughout the game as a period of intense Italian pressure resulted in a try for Matt Phillips after 47 minutes.
Brad Thorn was the first to break through the resolute Italian defence in the 12th minute for his first international try, followed three minutes later by another for captain Reuben Thorne.
Italy made several promising attacks before Daniel Carter broke to the halfway line and found Doug Howlett for the All Blacks third try after 23 minutes. A fourth followed through Spencer just before half time.
Doug Howlett crossed within minutes of the restart and, after Phillips scored against his fellow New Zealanders, the All Blacks ran in tries from Spencer, Joe Rokocoko (two), Justin Marshall, Carter, Leon MacDonald and a second for Howlett.
On a down side for New Zealand Tana Umaga and Rokocoko both limped from the field, centre Umaga after colliding with Spencer in a first half tackle and wing Rokocoko pulling up in a tackle for his second try.
Spencer himself suffered a knock to his ankle in a tackle by Barbini and had to hand over kicking duties to Carter in the first half, the centre ending the match with 17 points.
New Zealand: 70
Tries: Thorn, Thorne, Howlett (2), Spencer (2), Rokocoko (2), Marshall, Carter, MacDonald
Conversions: Carter (6)
Penalties: Spencer (1)
Italy: 7
Tries: Phillips
Conversions: Peens