All Blacks run riot in Rome

The All Blacks' performance was anything but smooth at times, having rested some of their best players and made 13 changes to the starting XV, but they were a class above the Italians who had hoped for more under new Irish coach Conor O'Shea.

But coach Steve Hansen was satisfied.

"It bodes well for next week, we have a lot of people in form," he said, referring to a rematch against Ireland set for Dublin next weekend.

"Above all, it bodes well for the future, next week and beyond."

New Zealand ran the hosts ragged, scoring five tries in the first half, Malakai Fekitoa starting the rout after three minutes with Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Israel Dagg and Wyatt Crockett all going over for further scores before the break.

The one-sided fare subdued a home crowd of around 70,000 at the Stadio Olimpico with the world champions ending up looking as if they were on a training run as Steven Luatua, Fekitoa, Elliot Dixon, Ioane and Waisake Naholo added further tries.

Aaron Cruden was in good form with the boot, with seven successful conversion attempts, while replacement Lima Sopoaga also kicked two.

Italy's only try came from an intercept with barely 10 minutes to play, Tommaso Boni running away to score.

New Zealand's tries were shared across the team, with centre Fekitoa bagging a brace and outside back Rieko Ioane snaring a try on debut.

For Italy, the loss demonstrated that they have plenty of work to do if they want to be competitive against even a second-string New Zealand side.

"We have to put together a game that's able to survive 80 minutes," coach O'Shea said, adding that this would take time and hard work.

Italy face South Africa next week in Florence, while the All Blacks take on Ireland in Dublin.

Also this morning Australia edged Scotland 23-22 in Edinburgh, England beat South Africa 37-21 in London and Japan pipped Georgia 28-22 in Tbilisi.