RUGBY WORLD CUP.

New Zealand: (52) 108
Tries: Rokocoko 2, Toeava, Williams, Mauger 2, Collins, Masoe, Hore, Leonard, Evans, Ellis, MacDonald, Smith 2, Hayman
Cons: Evans 14


Portugal: (3) 13
Tries: Cordeiro
Cons: D Pinto
Pens: D Pinto
Drop-goals: Malheiro

New Zealand ran in 16 tries as they brushed aside Portugal in Lyon.

Joe Rokocoko (2), Isaia Toeava, Ali Williams, Aaron Mauger, Jerry Collins, Chris Masoe and Andrew Hore went over for the All Blacks in the first half.

They then added further scores through Nick Evans, Brendon Leonard, Andrew Ellis, Mauger, Leon MacDonald, Conrad Smith (2) and Carl Hayman.

Portugal managed a converted Rui Cordeiro try to add to Goncalo Malheiro's earlier drop goal.

The Portuguese, 22nd in the world, had eagerly awaited their opportunity to meet the world's top ranked team and they visibly relished the chance to face the haka.

Italy had spurned the challenge when they met the All Blacks and conceded a try within two minutes, but Portugal held out twice as long before Rokocoko scythed through to score.

The winger soon added a second try, but the next score went to Portugal as Malheiro, their all-time record points scorer, drilled over a fine drop-goal.

The All Blacks, the tournament favourites, said they would be "sensitive" up against a largely amateur team, but conceding points was not part of the deal and the drop-goal had the same effect as poking a wasps' nest.

New Zealand started to swarm over Os Lobos and, in the last 18 minutes of the first half, added further tries by Toeava, Williams, Mauger, Collins, Masoe and Hore.

Amazingly, the first score of the second half went to Portugal as Cordeiro finished off a series of close-range drives.

Duarte Pinto duly kicked the conversion to put the minnows within 42 points.

But Leonard rapidly hit back for the All Blacks and, although Portugal defended bravely, Evans, Ellis, Mauger, MacDonald, Smith, who grabbed a double, and Hayman all crossed as the floodgates opened once more.

Evans converted 14 tries and claimed a personal haul of 33 points as New Zealand finished well short of the record 145 points they ran up against Japan in 1995.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry:
"I think it was a really good occasion. The crowd really enjoyed the rugby, we're pleased with our guys.
"We started a little slower than last week and that was credit to the Portuguese but we got into a rhythm.

"I'm delighted the way the guys handled this particular game. They didn't get over-physical, they showed their skills and treated the opposition with a lot of dignity.

"I think it was a pretty good game all round and I hope the Portuguese are pleased. They seemed to be happy after the game."


Portugal coach Tomaz Morais:
"It is an excellent day for rugby in Portugal and rugby across the world.
"Rugby has to evolve and only by playing the best can teams like Portugal do that. I don't think it was a disappointing game, it was a good spectacle and there was a great atmosphere in the stadium.

"Our goals for the game were very clear we knew we were playing against New Zealand, the greatest team in the world in recent years.

"They have beaten good teams by 70 or 80 points, but we scored a try and played very well. All the players that came back today came as survivors, we couldn't resist their physicality but we played rugby from the first to last."

New Zealand:
Muliaina; Toeava, Smith, Mauger, Rokocoko; Evans, Leonard; Tialata, Hore, Somerville, Jack, Williams, Collins (capt), Masoe, Lauaki.
Replacements:
Oliver, Woodcock, Hayman, So'oialo, Mealamu, Ellis, MacDonald.

Portugal:
Leal; Aguilar, Portela, Mateus, Carvalho; Malheiro, Pissarra; Silva, Correia, Spachuck, d'Orey, G Uva, Murinello, Coutinho, V Uva (capt).
Replacements:
Cordeiro, Ferreira, Penalva, Girao, J Uva, J Pinto, D Pinto.