All Blacks punish plucky Portugal

LYON, France -- Tournament favorites New Zealand predictably trounced minnows Portugal in Lyon, but the 108-13 scoreline meant the All Blacks fell well short of breaking their own World Cup points record.

Graham Henry's side had been widely expected to surpass the 145 scored against Japan in 1995, but were frustrated for spells in each half by the part-timers despite running in 16 tries.

Recalled winger Joe Rokocoko crossed twice in the first 11 minutes, but could not get on the score sheet again as 12 other players dotted down for the Kiwis.

But Portugal, beaten 56-10 by Scotland in their Pool B opener, delighted the crowd when Rui Cordeiro was awarded a try in the 47th minute after much deliberation by the video referee.

Replacement fly-half Duarte Pinto added the extras, and also had the luxury of landing a penalty goal with six minutes remaining.

Portugal's other points came from a cheeky drop-goal by starting No. 10 Goncalo in the 22nd minute, which gave his some some faint hope at only 12-3 down.

However, All Blacks winger Isaia Toeava replied with a try almost immediately to begin a deluge that saw his side lead 52-3 at half-time.

Lock Ali Williams strolled over, then stand-in skipper Jerry Collins set up center Aaron Mauger before popping up in support to himself touch down in the 32nd minute.

Flanker Chris Masoe joined the growing legion of scorers and hooker Andrew Hore dived over for the last action before the break.

But Portugal came out fighting, with replacement Cordeiro coming up with the ball after an impressive set of drives by his fellow forwards which pushed the All Blacks back over their own line.

Scrum-half Brendon Leonard replied with a try almost immediately, but it was another 10 minutes before New Zealand could breach the Portuguese line again.

Fly-half Nick Evans converted his own try, then Andrew Ellis - on for Leonard - scored his first for the Kiwis after a neat offload by Collins in the 61st minute.

Collins then went off, with Henry giving hooker Keven Mealamu the chance to stretch his legs as he took his place at blindside flanker.

Mauger grabbed his second try in the 66th minute after throwing a big dummy and cutting through the gap, then Leon MacDonald went over to make it 85-10.

MacDonald had replaced Mils Muliaina early in the match, with the full-back going off with a suspected hamstring problem which may be of some concern to the team management.

Center Conrad Smith broke free down the blindside to score in the 72nd minute before Pinto's penalty, then replacement Carl Hayman -- a front-row prop who was used as a lock for this match -- dotted down for a rare try.

Smith went over again in the 79th minute, and Evans landed his 14th conversion to end with a personal haul of 33 points. E-mail to a friend