Australia got their World Cup campaign off to a winning start with a hard-fought 32-6 victory over Italy in Auckland.

The Pool C teams kicked off in driving rain, and high winds resulted in missed penalty efforts from both sides.

Referee Alain Rolland ruled the game with an iron fist, causing some very cagey stop-and-start play, but as the rain subsided play opened up and chances were created at both ends.

Australian fly-half Quade Cooper received a hostile welcome from the New Zealand crowd due to an incident at the Tri-Nations final against the All Blacks when he appeared to knee Richie McCaw, but the stand-off managed to convert two penalties despite the jeers and boos ringing out across the stadium.

Mirco Bergamasco finally got Italy off the mark with two successive penalties, making the scores level at 6-6 going into the break.

Australia came out of the interval with a renewed vigour and prop Ben Alexander crashed over the line ten minutes into the second-half, with replacement James O'Connor failing to convert.

Winger Adam Ashley-Cooper broke through the Italian defence for Australia’s second try minutes later, and O’Connor made it 25-6 with a try and conversion quickly after.

Digby Ioane picked up Australia’s fourth, while Italy came inches from the line with four minutes to go after one of their dominating scrums.

Australia go on to face Ireland on Saturday, September 17, while Italy next face Russia on Tuesday, September 20.