The All Blacks, seeking their second consecutive crown following their triumph in Italy last year, ran in eight tries at the AJ Bell Stadium in Salford to get their title defence off to the best possible start.

New Zealand were clear favourites to begin with a win and were in ruthless form throughout the contest, with Jonah Lowe and Caleb Makene scoring two tries apiece.

Their success saw the 2015 winners surge to the summit of Pool A, with the other contest in the group proving to be a much more thrilling affair as Ireland edged Northern Hemisphere rivals Wales 26-25 in a pulsating match-up.

Ireland did it the hard way as they fought back from 17-3 down to oust the Welsh outfit by the narrowest of margins to join the All Blacks in registering victory at the first time of asking.

Elsewhere, hosts England, runners-up at the 2015 edition following defeat to New Zealand, also produced a scintillating display as they thrashed Italy 48-10 at the Manchester City Academy Stadium.

The result of the Pool B match never looked in any doubt right from the first whistle as England dominated proceedings on their way to a comprehensive success, during which seven different try scorers managed to cross the line.

In the other match in the Pool, Scotland made history as they recorded their maiden win over Australia, emerging from a hard-fought encounter on the right side of a 15-10 scoreline.

Elsewhere, South Africa beat Japan 59-19 and Argentina squeezed past France 24-15 in Pool C.

Action at the competition in Manchester continues on Saturday (June 11).