New Zealand Paints It Black: Rugby World Cup

New Zealand finished the World Cup pool stage in style with a spectacular demonstration of running and passing to demolish Romania 85-8 on Saturday.

The All Blacks racked up 13 tries, three coming from flying winger Joe Rokocoko, as they blew away their opponents with some dazzling rugby to the delight of the packed crowd at the Stade Toulouse.

The World Cup favourites have scored 309 points and 46 tries on their way to winning Pool C with a maximum 20 points. They will meet either France, Argentina or Ireland in a quarterfinal in Cardiff next Saturday.

Romania ended the tournament with five points thanks to a narrow 14-10 win over Portugal and a defensive bonus in their 24-18 defeat to Italy.

Just as they did against Italy in their opening match, New Zealand made a whirlwind start, scoring their first try after just 36 seconds when Sitiveni Sivivatu scorched down the left wing after flyhalf Luke McAlister had made a clean break through the middle.

It was the fastest try of the present World Cup but not quite as quick as Elton Flatley's 18-second touchdown in Australia's 90-8 victory over the same opponents in Brisbane in 2003.

Romania's performance led Tincu to say: "I think if we'd played our first three games like we played today we'd have a different world cup experience, but it's too late now."