New Zealand 43

Georgia 10

Late New Zealand tries put the gloss on an otherwise uninspiring performance from the All-Blacks, who still managed to muster a 33-point victory over a spirited Georgia side.

A lightning fast start saw the southern hemisphere side streak into a seven-nil lead, Waisake Naholo the fastest from the start and Dan Carter sharp with his opening kick.

It wasn't one of Carters finest kicking displays this evening though, missing three out of four kicks in the first half.

Georgia dragged themselves level, Beka Tsiklauri pouncing on some sloppy New Zealand handling to sprint clear and give his side hope of a respectable scoreline.

And, credit to the Georgians, that's how it was going.

Image Credit: David Davies / PA Wire/Press Association Images

Lasha Malaguradze scored a penalty after New Zealand's second try of the night, courtesy of Julian Savea, and the Eastern Europeans continued to chip away at their seemingly assailable lead.

At the break the scores stood at 22-10, Dane Coles' try their third before the half was out.

It was in the second half New Zealand's real quality shined through.

Two more tries from Julian Savea, with both Malakai Fekitoa and Kieran Read crossing as well for the world champions, saw them breathe a little bit easier. Carter's kicking also improving to give the favourites something to smile about.

Still, Steve Hansen will come away with plenty to think about and the tournament's other top teams will look upon the result with less fear than had been previously expected.