New Zealand have kept their Rugby World Cup hopes alive in dazzling style with an emphatic 96-17 victory over Italy in Lyon this evening.
The All Blacks went into the crucial Pool A clash knowing that only a win would do after losing their opening match and seeing Italy take maximum points from their opening two games.
Ian Foster's men were still firm favourites to extend their 100% record against Italy, but the Azzurri's perfect start and New Zealand's relatively indifferent form heading into the match had raised suggestions that this could be a banana skin.
However, in practice that could not have been further from the truth as New Zealand put their opponents to the sword in ruthless fashion, running in 14 tries to rack up a huge score in Lyon and reaffirm their status as serious contenders to go all the way in France.
The All Blacks ran in seven tries in both halves in an utterly one-sided display, with Aaron Smith helping himself to a first Test hat-trick from his 122 appearances in the first half alone.
Will Jordan kicked things off in the sixth minute with a stunning finish in the corner after being picked out by an inch-perfect cross-field kick, and the prolific winger was one of three players to help themselves to two tries, along with Ardie Savea and Dane Coles.
Mark Telea, Brodie Retallick, Dalton Papali'i, Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown also touched down for the three-time winners.
Italy offered precious little in response, although they did manage to breach the New Zealand defence twice with Ange Capuozzo scoring in the second half before Monty Ioane went over to bring the match to a close.
There was a special moment for Sam Whitelock as he came off the bench to win his 149th cap for his country, overtaking Richie McCaw as the most-capped All Black of all time, and also drawing level with McCaw and England's Jason Leonard on 22 World Cup appearances.
The win takes New Zealand up to second in Pool A, above Italy, who will likely now need to beat France in their final game to stand any chance of progressing.
Barney Corkhill
