Smith leads New Zealand's Italian job to close in on last eight at World Cup

New Zealand scrum-half Aaron Smith scored three ties in his side's 96-17 victory over Italy in Lyon. AP - Laurent Cipriani

Talk was of an upset in Lyon on Friday night which would eliminate New Zealand after the group stages at a rugby union World Cup for the first time in the 10 competitions stretching back 36 years.

The chatter was silenced during 40 first-half minutes at the Groupama Stadium in which New Zealand scored seven converted tries.