The New Zealand Colts destroyed Russia 110-3 at the under-21 rugby world cup in Edinburgh yesterday.
The Colts scored 16 tries, with first five-eighths Stephen Donald contributing 35 points from 15 conversions and a try to earn the man-of-the match award.
New Zealand were sharp and accurate throughout, which bodes well for a much tougher match against South Africa on Sunday.
Coach Bryce Woodward said he was not totally convinced by his side's performance against a Russian team who wilted badly after a bright opening 10 minutes.
"I didn't read much into the game," Woodward said. "We did some good things and we did some pretty average things. I guess the guys tried to do a little too much on their own in a game like that."
Left-wing James Somerset, who was the leading tryscorer in the recent under-19 World Cup, scored four tries on debut for the Colts.
Second five-eighth James Gopperth added two tries and looked sharp with his hard running, and the loose forward trio of Nick Williams, Jerome Kaino and Mikaeke Tuu'u, who scored a brace of tries, provided a strong link with the backs.
New Zealand 110 (J. Somerset 4, B. Smith 2, G. Horton 2, J. Gopperth 2, M. Tuu'u 2, S. Donald, J. Kaino, K. Haitana, G. Naoupu tries; Donald 15 con) Russia 3 (D. Simonov dropped goal). HT: 63-0.
Australia 64 Tonga 0, England 25 Scotland 14, France 27 Italy 26, Ireland 26 Argentina 22, South Africa 27 Wales 26.
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