Rugby: New Zealand under-20s blow away Japan in World Cup opener

The New Zealand under-20 rugby side have made a strong start to their World Cup campaign, thrashing Japan 67-0 in their opening game of the tournament in Narbonne, France.

New Zealand ran in 11 tires with wingers Leicester Faingaanuku and Jamie Spowat scoring five of them. Spowat collected a second half hat-trick, scoring the third right on fulltime.

One of the highlights was centre Bailyn Sullivan running in an 80-metre try straight from the kick off midway through the first half.

Lock Will Tucker opened the scoring after 48 seconds before Faingaanuku added a second just three minutes later.

Fullback Vilimoni Koroi scored New Zeland's third in the 10th minute and after a Kaleb Trask conversion, the Baby Blacks were out to a 17-0 lead.

The tries kept coming as Faingaanuku cruised over for his second of the game in the 18th minute quickly followed Sullivan's brilliant effort. Trask added his third conversion to make it 31-0.

New Zealand skipper Tom Christie scored his side's sixth just before the break. The tries continued to flow in the second half with John Akau'ola-Laula, Xavier Roe and Spowat's three.

New Zealand next face Wales on Monday morning.

In other games this morning 2012 champions South Africa had a narrow 33-27 win over Georgia while Italy snatched a late win over Scotland 27-26. England beat Argentina 39-18, hosts France were too good for Ireland 26-24. In the same group as New Zealand, Wales beat Australia 26-21.