All Blacks make light work of Portugal

New Zealand 108-13 Portugal: New Zealand became the sixth side in World Cup history to score more than 100 points when they racked up a predictably emphatic win over a courageous Portugal side in their Pool C match in Lyon today.

The All Blacks scored 16 tries as they overpowered a largely amateur Portuguese side, with winger Joe Rokocoko and centres Aaron Mauger and Conrad Smith helping themselves to two apiece.

Outhalf Nick Evans contributed 28 points with the boot as well as a try of his own as New Zealand recorded the fourth highest World Cup total.

Despite the scoreline it was a spirited performance from Portugal. They managed to restrict their opponents to 12-3  in the opening quarter. Malheiro got Portugal on the scoreboard with a 35 metre drop goal midway through the first half.

But it did not take long for New Zealand to open their account and Rokocoko was first to cross the line when he sliced through the Portuguese defence after a ruck on four minutes.

Portugal produced some brave tackling in midfield to keep Graham Henry's side at bay but there was nothing they could do to stop Rokocoko from steaming in for another try nine minutes later after a quickly taken lineout.

They responded well, though, got on to the New Zealand line when outhalf Goncalo Malheiro intercepted a pass on the wing and kicked on into the 22 but were pulled up for not straight in the lineout.

In their anxiety to see off their opponents, the All Blacks made an uncharacteristic number of handling errors in the early part of the game, but quick-fire tries from winger Isaia Toeava, second row Ali Williams and Mauger steadied the ship as they stretched their lead to 33-3.

Skipper Jerry Collins, who had caused constant problems with his surging runs from the loose, scored his third try of the World Cup when he stormed in under the posts and fellow back rower Chris Masoe and hooker Andrew Hore added two as the All Blacks racked up the half-century by the break.

A spate of substitutions gave Portugal a new lease of life at the start of the second period.
After a succession of attempts to batter their way over, replacement prop Cordeiro was awarded a try following a video replay to spark wild celebrations from the 40,000-strong crowd.

Duarte Cardoso Pinto added the conversion to make it 52-10, but normal service was resumed when Brendon Leonard, Evans and replacement Andrew Ellis crossed for three more tries. Portugal were broken late in the second half with the All Blacks running in another five tries in the last quarter of an hour to take the total well beyond the century.