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New Zealand scored an incredible 14 tries and hit 96 points against Italy’s 17 in Pool A to move closer to the quarter finals of the Rugby World Cup in France on Friday night.
Knowing a defeat would see them eliminated, the All Blacks raced into a pulsating 49-3 half-time lead.
They ultimately ran out 96-17 victors with scrum-half Aaron Smith scoring a hat-trick after just 33 minutes. The All Blacks will guarantee a spot in the knockouts with a win over Uruguay in their final pool match on Thursday.
Italy must beat hosts France in their next match to reach a first World Cup quarter-final.
The All Blacks’ win sees them jump up to second in Pool A, level on points with Italy who they now have a superior head-to-head record over.
