New Zealand coach Graham Henry could not disguise his delight after watching his side make a dream start to their World Cup campaign.
The All Blacks underlined their favouritism with a clinical 76-14 destruction of an outclassed Italy in the opening game of Pool C at The Velodrome in Marseille.
They made a whirlwind start with five tries in the first 18 minutes to blow away their potentially dangerous opponents and quickly stave off the threat of another upset following France's defeat by Argentina.
'I am very pleased,' said Henry. 'We played some good rugby in the first 20 minutes despite the heat. We have no injuries so it's ideal.
'I think the most pleasing thing was the decision-making, especially in the first 20 minutes of the match.
'I expected Italy to be a little bit more stubborn but they played very well. They played well at the Six Nations and they are a good team.'
New Zealand never looked back after an opening quarter in which everything came off for them in perfect conditions.
Munster-bound winger Doug Howlett led the scoring spree with a hat-trick to leapfrog Jeff Wilson in the All Blacks try list and equal Christian Cullen's record of 46 on his 60th appearance.
Captain Richie McCaw set the pattern, supporting breaks from Ali Williams and Byron Kelleher to touch down twice in the first seven minutes.
'We were looking forward to playing this game for a long time,' said McCaw. 'We played very well in the first 20 minutes. We capitalised on every opportunity we had.'
Italy coach Pierre Berbizier admitted: 'It is a nightmare start to this World Cup but it is the reality of the high level that we had to meet the All Blacks.
'We have to improve but it is a long competition and the truth of today is not the truth of tomorrow.'
Italy captain Marco Bortalami said: 'It was very hard, tough. We had too much respect for them during the first half. We have to train hard for the next match. The Blacks are a really big team.'
