Italy captain Sergio Parisse was inspirational for his side as they comfortably beat Russia 53-17 in their Rugby World Cup match on Tuesday.
Parisse scored his side's first try at Trafalgar Park and set up two others in the first half as the Italians scored nine tries in total to score 50 points for the first time in the tournament.
Winger Giulio Toniolatti and centre Tommaso Benvenuti also scored two tries each, while halfback Edoardo Gori, winger Luke McLean and Alessandro Zanni also crossed for the Italians, Reuters reports.
Italy were awarded a penalty try as reward for their scrum dominance and first five-eighth Riccardo Bocchino converted four of their tries. They led 38-7 at halftime.
Russia's replacement halfback Alexander Yanyushkin scored his side's first World Cup try, while Vladimir Ostroushko and Alexei Makovetsky added two more in the second spell. Konstantin Rachkov added a conversion.
"Our play was not so good tonight but I am glad we scored some tries, they are the first tries for the Russian team at the tournament," lock Alexander Voitov said.
"It's a tough game and each game is new for us and we are very glad to be here."
Italy next play the United States on 27 September, while Russia will have a hard match against Australia on 1 October.
Both matches are in Nelson, where the first recorded game of rugby was played in New Zealand in 1870.
Scorers
Italy: Tries - Sergio Parisse, Giulio Toniolatti (2), Tommaso Benvenuti (2), Edoardo Gori, Luke McLean, Alessandro Zanni, Penalty try; Conversions - Riccardo Bocchino (4).
Russia: Tries - Alexander Yanyushkin, Vladimir Ostroushko, Alexei Makovetsky; Conversions - Konstantin Rachkov.
Referee: Wayne Barnes (England).
