Australia proved too strong for Italy at the World Cup on Sunday, winning 32-6 at the North Harbour Stadium.
Italy held their own during the first period of the Pool C battle, and the sides went in level at the break, but Australia produced an excellent second half performance to secure the victory in style.
Unhelpful weather conditions contributed to a poor first half, during which there was little in the way of action inside either 22.
Quade Cooper and Mirco Bergamasco kicked two penalties tries apiece to leave the score at 6-6 at the midway point of the clash.
Australia looked a different side from the beginning of the second half, and a break from Digby Ioane and strong work from Radike Samo allowed Ben Alexander to score the opening try of the match, nine minutes after the break.
James O'Connor failed with the conversion, but winger Adam Ashley-Cooper soon went over under the posts for the Aussies’ second try, with O’Connor adding the extras on that occasion.
Replacement O'Connor then benefitted from an inside pass from Cooper, beating the tackle Carlo Antonio Del Fava to score, before converting.
Digby Ioane's pace and finishing ability secured the bonus point for Australia, following set-up play from Luke Burgess and Cooper, with O'Connor again successful with the conversion.