Jonah Lomu came through his first competitive match for almost three years as Cardiff Blues took maximum points at Calvisano.
The former All Black lasted an hour of his comeback from a kidney transplant, though was kept quiet for most of that time, in his bid to play once again for New Zealand.
Instead it was Robert Sidoli, Martyn Williams, Rhys Williams and Chris Czekaj who ensured Cardiff earned a bonus point.
The win could have been greater had Nick Robinson not missed four from six kicks.
However, all eyes were inevitably on Lomu as a sell-out crowd packed the tiny Centro Sportivo San Michele ground to watch the All Black legend make his long-awaited comeback.
Lomu was universally accepted as the most dangerous player in world rugby after his man of the tournament displays at the 1995 World Cup where he single-handedly demolished England in the semi-final with his brutal force and pace.
However, he was diagnosed with a rare and potentially fatal kidney disorder the following year and underwent a kidney transplant in 2004.
He returned to play in Martin Johnson's testimonial at Twickenham only to injure his shoulder, delaying his return by a further six months.
It was not long before Lomu, who has signed a short-term contract until the end of the season with the Welsh club, touched the ball and his burst led to the game's first try after seven minutes.
Lomu crashed into the line, flanker Andy Powell followed before Sidoli strode over as Calvisano ran out of numbers. Robinson, who had earlier kicked a penalty, missed the conversion.
That summed up Cardiff's half as the Blues wasted a handful of chances. Calvisano may have only won once at home in the Heineken Cup but made a fist of it when Fijian Apenisa Vodo won the race for Jacobus Van Schalkwyk's kick and Hercules Kruger converted.
Wales flanker Williams profited from Michael Phillips' offload after 17 minutes following prolonged pressure but further chances were squandered and their half-time lead was limited to 13-10 by a Kruger penalty.
It was not until the hour mark that Cardiff finally broke free with two tries while Calvisano prop Martin Castrogiovanni sat in the sin-bin.
Man of the match Phillips created both, the first finished in the left corner by captain Williams, the second on the opposite side by Czekaj after Lomu had left the field to generous applause.
