( CNN ) -- Italy recorded the biggest Rugby World Cup win in their history on Tuesday as they crushed Russia 53-17 in Nelson , New Zealand . The Azzuri ran in nine tries against World Cup debutants Russia and now sit third on point difference in Pool C , level on five points with second-placed Australia . Italy flew out of the blocks at Trafalgar Park , securing a bonus point from four tries in just 22 minutes . Flanker Sergio Parisse ran over the first try before a brace from Giulio Toniolatti -- his first tries in international rugby -- and an additional score from center Tommaso Benvenuti gave a commanding lead . Italy , currently under the tutelage of former South Africa coach Nick Mallett , continued to press and were awarded a penalty try after 28 minutes when Russia were penalized for a succession of collapsed scrums . Alexander Yanyushkin made World Cup history for Russia with 33 minutes on the clock , the flyhalf going over to score the nation 's first-ever try in the quadrennial tournament . But Russia 's respite was short-lived as scrumhalf Edoardo Gori touched down Italy 's sixth try of an action-packed first half with 37 minutes gone . Nikolay Nerush 's Russia rallied in the second half as they attempted to stem the Italian tide , but Benvenuti continued the scoring as he went over to make the score 43-7 on 47 minutes . Wing Vladimir Ostrushko and center Alexey Makovetskiy did manage to score tries for Russia , either side of fullback Luke McLean 's score for Italy . Substitute Alessandro Zanni completed the scoring with four minutes remaining , capitalizing on powerful scrum play from Italy to score his team 's ninth try . The convincing win keeps alive Italy 's hopes of reaching the quarterfinals for the first time , with their next match against the U.S. on September 27 . Russia sit bottom of Pool C , with just one point from their two matches ahead of a clash with Ireland in Rotorua on Sunday .
Italy beat Australia 53 - 17 at the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand . The Azzuri ran in nine tries to record their biggest World Cup win . Italy are now third in Pool B , level on points with Australia . They are bottom of the group , with one point from three matches .