All Blacks rack up century against Portugal

LYON, Sept 15 (Reuters) - New Zealand became the sixth side in World Cup history to score more than 100 points when they racked up a predictably emphatic 108-13 win over a courageous Portugal side in their Pool C match in Lyon on Saturday.

The All Blacks scored 16 tries as they overpowered a largely amateur Portuguese side, with winger Joe Rokocoko and centres Aaron Mauger and Conrad Smith helping themselves to two apiece.

Flyhalf Nick Evans contributed 28 points with the boot as well as a try of his own as New Zealand garnered the fourth highest World Cup total. Despite the scoreline it was a spirited performance from Portugal who managed to restrict their opponents to 12-3 midway through the first half and were given the biggest cheer of the day when replacement prop Rui Cordeiro crossed the line at the start of the second half.

Unlike the All Blacks' first opponents Italy, Portugal stood up to the haka and they managed to hold out a little longer than the Azzurri who conceded a try after 64 seconds in their 76-14 defeat.

But it did not take long for New Zealand to open their account and Rokocoko was first to cross the line when he sliced through the Portuguese defence after a ruck on four minutes. Portugal produced some brave tackling in midfield to keep Graham Henry's side at bay but there was nothing they could do to stop Rokocoko from steaming in for another try nine minutes later after a quickly taken lineout.

They responded well, though, got on to the New Zealand line when flyhalf Goncalo Malheiro intercepted a pass on the wing and kicked on into the 22 but were pulled up for not straight in the lineout.

Malheiro had his moment of glory soon after, dropping a goal from 35 metres out after his forwards held off the All Black pack at a ruck to leave his side 12-3 down after 22 minutes.

In their anxiety to see off their opponents, the All Blacks made an uncharacteristic number of handling errors in the early part of the game, but quick-fire tries from winger Isaia Toeava, second row Ali Williams and Mauger steadied the ship as they stretched their lead to 33-3. Skipper Jerry Collins, who had caused constant problems with his surging runs from the loose, scored his third try of the World Cup when he stormed in under the posts and fellow back rower Chris Masoe and hooker Andrew Hore added two as the All Blacks racked up the half-century by the break. Portugal flagged at the end of the first half, but the break and a spate of substitutions gave them a new lease of life at the start of the second period.

They rose to the occasion and pinned the All Blacks on their own line after a kick and chase. After a succession of attempts to batter their way over, replacement prop Cordeiro was awarded a try following a video replay to spark wild celebrations from the 40,000-strong crowd.

Duarte Cardoso Pinto added the conversion to make it 52-10, but normal service was resumed when Brendon Leonard, Evans and replacement Andrew Ellis crossed for three more tries.

Portugal were broken late in the second half with the All Blacks running in another five tries in the last quarter of an hour to take the total well beyond the century.