The All Blacks are back at their absolute best.
After more than 20 years, New Zealand threatened to break the 103-3 record against Italy set at the 1999 Rugby World Cup.
They came close, running rampant in a 96-17 thumping over Gli Azzurri at Parc Olympique Lyonnais for their second highest score in history over the men in blue.
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In total, New Zealand racked up 14 tries to Italy's two in a contest that will no doubt raise some eyebrows – particularly for Ireland, who look likely to face the All Blacks in a quarter-final fixture.
Aaron Smith scored a hat-trick before the match had even reached half-time, at which point the score read 49-3.
Will Jordan, Ardie Savea, and Dane Coles each claimed two tries while Mark Telea, Brodie Retallick, Dalton Papali'i, Damian McKenzie, and Anton Leinert-Brown each went over once.
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Richie Mo'unga had a big night with the boot, converting nine opportunities at goal while McKenzie claimed four when he came on in the second half.
It wasn't until the 48th minute that Italy finally broke through for their first try of the match courtesy of Ange Capuozzo in the 48th minute.
As New Zealand threatened to break the 100-point mark, Italy found themselves with possession in the dying moments of the match.
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Australian-born winger Monty Ioane claimed a consolation try, narrowly keeping his foot in the field of play to draw the gap back slightly.
The win was the perfect gift for Sam Whitelock, who became the most capped New Zealand player of all time, surpassing the great Richie McCaw who was sideline for the match.
"We put a lot of mahi (work) in last week and this week, not just myself but all the boys that played tonight put that effort in," said captain Savea, who was also player of the match.
"We have talent across the board. We had not really clicked but tonight we played some free rugby and that's how I want my boys to play. Really proud tonight. We've put a lot into this week and got the rewards.
"We wanted to come out and make a statement. We wanted to dominate up front. Our forwards had the platform and the backs finished it off."
Savea, ever the critic of his own performance, bemoaned the last-minute Italian try that only slightly narrowed the enormous void between the teams.
"It was really good but we let it slip in the end so we are never satisfied, never comfortable," he said.
"There are little areas to get better. It was a final for us, it was a do-or-die game. We have got to play like this every weekend."
Head coach Ian Foster looked jovial as he and his assistant coaches laughed amid the onslaught of tries.
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His opposite and countryman Kieran Crowley couldn't quite believe the result.
"They just monstered us," he said.
"It was like a training run for them. I think we won 33 per cent in the scrum and 50 per cent in the lineout.
"They played bloody well but we gifted them a few tries in a few areas, but we just need to chuck it in the bin and go next week."
The All Blacks have one more pool match against Uruguay on Friday (AEST).
New Zealand – 96 – (Aaron Smith 3, Ardie Savea 2, Will Jordan 2, Dane Coles 2, Mark Telea, Brodie Retallick, Dalton Papali'i, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown tries; Richie Mo'unga 9 conversions, McKenzie 4 conversions),
Italy -17 – (Ange Capuozzo, Montanna Ioane tries; Tommaso Allan conversion, penalty, Paolo Garbisi conversion).
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