New Zealand 96-17 Italy: Aaron Smith hat-trick among 14 tries sees All Blacks edge closer to quarter-finals

A rampant New Zealand destroyed Pool A rivals Italy 96-17 in Lyon to take a huge step towards securing a Rugby World Cup quarter-final spot.

Aaron Smith helped himself to the first hat-trick of his All Blacks career as Ian Foster’s side put the match to bed in the first half as they constructed a 49-3 lead in tying up the bonus point with ease.

Will Jordan, Mark Telea and two tries from Ardie Savea put the three-time world champions on easy street with Richie Mo’unga slotting six conversions from a one-sided first period that lasted 45 minutes.

Further tries arrived almost at will in the second period with 14-try New Zealand coming up narrowly short of overtaking their record 101-3 destruction of the Azzurri in the 1999 World Cup.

As it was, Brodie Retallick, Dalton Papali’i, two tries from Dane Coles, Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown completed the rout with Ange Capuozzo and Monty Ioane going over for Italy amid the one-way traffic.

New Zealand return to Lyon on Thursday knowing a win over Uruguay will secure their progress from Pool A.

While Italy face the daunting task of having to overcome hosts France on Friday to avoid another early exit from the competition.

Not quite, but they look like a side in the death throes of their aspirations. The Azzurri must somehow lift themselves before they face host nation France in Lyon on Friday night. A French side good enough to beat New Zealand in the tournament opener. It is a daunting task.

They would have qualified for the quarter-finals with a first win over the All Blacks in 36 years, but instead suffered another heavy beating that was only marginally better than their record 101-3 defeat against New Zealand at the 1999 Rugby World Cup tournament.

Italy coach Kieran Crowley, the former All Blacks full-back, felt other countries had closed the gap on the three-time world champions before this mauling.

Resembling a form of rugby cannon fodder, the Italians are quite clearly no closer to them since their 70-6 drubbing in the opening game of the inaugural World Cup in New Zealand way back in 1987.

Centre Jordie Barrett returned from injury and produced a superb performance full of pace and invention that improved the longer the game progressed after his wonderful cross-field kick enabled Will Jordan to go over for the first of 14 tries. Was replaced on 64 minutes, but could be a key figure for the All Blacks in the knock-out stages.

New Zealand: Beauden Barrett 8; Will Jordan 8, Rieko Ioane 8, Jordie Barrett 9, Mark Telea 8; Richie Mo’unga 8, Aaron Smith 8; Ofa Tu’ungafasi 8, Codie Taylor, 8 Nepo Laulala 8; Brodie Retallick 8, Scott Barrett 8; Shannon Frizell 8, Dalton Papali’i 8, Ardie Savea 8

Italy: Tommaso Allan 6; Ange Capuozzo 6, Juan Ignacio Brex 5, Luca Morisi 5, Montanna Ioane 6; Paolo Garbisi 5, Stephen Varney 5; Danilo Fischetti 5, Giacomo Nicotera 5, Marco Riccioni 5; Dino Lamb 5, Federico Ruzza 5; Sebastian Negri 5, Michele Lamaro 5, Lorenzo Cannone 5

6′ NEW ZEALAND MAKE ITALY PAY! The All Blacks have made a fast start. They lead 7-0. Camped in the Italian half before Will Jordan races onto a delightful Jordie Barrett chip across the pitch to bundle over the try line. Richie Mo’unga adds the conversion. What a start!

34′ AND ANOTHER SMITH TRY That is the hat-trick from Smith on the break as Jordie Barrett gets his legs on the move with Italy all over the show before setting up his team-mate. And over goes the Richie Mo’unga conversion. A thrilling try and New Zealand lead 42-3 in Lyon. What is this going to end up?

48′ ITALY FINALLY SHOW THEIR CLASS Superb from the Azzurri! Cannone wins a key line-out before Monty Ioane picks out Ange Capuozzo on the move and he races for the line before powering over for their first try of the night. Tommaso Allan with the conversion and it is 49-10.

67′ SCRUM WORKS WELL FOR ALL BLACKS Damian McKenzie going backwards towards the Italy try line before he spins off the Beauden Barrett pass to get the ball down. And that is just the job for New Zealand. Up to 75-10 at McKenzie adds the conversion.

76′ ALL BLACKS CHASE THE CENTURY Surely on the cards now as Anton Lienert-Brown races through the broken white lines of the Italy defence. Cam Roigard with the offload for Brown to go over. 96-10. Running some wonderful lines.