Roos rampant in opener

Australia got their defence of the World Cup off to an impressive start with a 30-6 victory over New Zealand in Sydney.

The scoreline did not reflect the Kangaroos' dominance but the Kiwis put up a gutsy defence of their try-line amid almost relentless pressure.

Australia did cross five times, with tries from Greg Inglis, Joel Monaghan, Israel Folau (2) and Billy Slater, while the Kiwis' solitary try was scored by Sika Manu.

When the debutant trotted through untouched and dotted under the sticks on 26 minutes after superb work from Benji Marshall, the visitors only trailed 8-6 and were very much in the contest - on the scoreboard at least.

But there was already a sense of inevitability about the Kangaroos' eighth successive win over their Trans-Tasman rivals, such was the hosts' dominance of possession and territory.

Swarming

New Zealand were able to offer little in attack, with stand-off Marshall - his creative work for the try apart - kept quiet by swarming Green and Gold defence on his first Test appearance in Australia.

With half-backs Darren Lockyer and Johnathan Thurston in imposing form, Australia dominated from start to finish, with awesome centre Folau causing the Kiwis all sorts of trouble up the middle.

Thurston, who played despite the death of his uncle just 48 hours earlier, kicked four goals from five attempts before being rested for the final quarter, while Cameron Smith landed one conversion from the touchline.

England are the Kangaroos' next opponents in Melbourne next Sunday and, on this evidence, they will have to find a marked improvement on their 32-22 win over Papua New Guinea if they are to spring a shock.

Coach Ricky Stuart would have been especially delighted with the debut of Monaghan while fellow newcomers Anthony Laffranchi, Glenn Stewart and Josh Perry all played their parts in an impressive all-round display.

The only disappointment for the champions was the loss of winger Brent Tate - the only outside back not to score - with a neck injury on the hour mark.

The hosts will also be delighted to have attracted a bumper crowd of 34,157 to the Sydney Football Stadium. The World Cup is just two days old but after three entertaining contests is already building up momentum.