AP PHOTOS: Big teams flex their muscles in the 2nd round of games at the Rugby World Cup

PARIS (AP) — New Zealand, Ireland and South Africa all flexed their muscles at the Rugby World Cup to rack up the points against underdog opponents in the second round of games in France.

New Zealand went first, running 11 tries past Namibia for a 71-3 grilling that put the three-time champion All Blacks back on track after losing a blockbuster opening game of the tournament to host France.

Top-ranked Ireland looked every bit the best in the world by mauling Tonga 59-16 to extend its national record to 15 straight wins and, more importantly, underline its status as a title favorite.

And South Africa put away Romania 76-0 with 12 tries in all, a show of power and pace from the defending champion Springboks.

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Samoa's Taleni Junior Agaese Seu, center, fight for the ball with Chile's Raimundo Martinez, 8, during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Samoa and Chile at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

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France's Antoine Dupont receives treatment after taking a knock to the head during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and Namibia at the Stade de Marseille in Marseille, France, Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

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South Africa's Damian Willemse scores a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) — South Africa’s Damian Willemse scores a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

But it didn’t all go the way of the top dogs as Fiji, everyone’s favorite Rugby World Cup underdog, threw up the biggest surprise so far with a 22-15 win over two-time champion Australia.

There was a sense that Fiji might do it and the 22-15 victory was cheered by fans in Saint-Etienne and all over the rugby world.

Four teams played their first games after getting a rest for the opening round.

Samoa's Jonathan Taumateine, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Samoa and Chile at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) — Samoa’s Jonathan Taumateine, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Samoa and Chile at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Tonga's Samiuela Lousi, right, and Ireland's Ryan Baird compete for the ball in a lineout during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Tonga at the State de la Beaujoire in Nantes, France Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) — Tonga’s Samiuela Lousi, right, and Ireland’s Ryan Baird compete for the ball in a lineout during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Tonga at the State de la Beaujoire in Nantes, France Saturday. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Teammates celebrate after Portugal's Nicolas Martins scored a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Wales and Portugal at the Stade de Nice, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 in Nice, southern France. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole) — Teammates celebrate after Portugal’s Nicolas Martins scored a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Wales and Portugal at the Stade de Nice, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 in Nice, southern France. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Samoa arrived to overwhelm tournament debutant Chile, but only after a half-time dressing down from coach Seilala Mapusua sparked the Samoans into life with 24 unanswered points in the second half.

Tonga and Portugal had losing starts, although Portugal - at its first Rugby World Cup in 16 years - was an energetic and persistent threat to Wales and their game was much closer for long periods of play than the 28-8 final result. The Portuguese players erupted in delight with their try from a brilliant trick lineout move.

Host France, which like the Irish has real expectations of a first Rugby World Cup title, won again, doing enough against a spirited Uruguay making its first appearance of this tournament.

French supporters celebrate after France scores a try as the watch on a giant screen the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and Uruguay being played in Lille, at a fan zone at Concorde square, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) — French supporters celebrate after France scores a try as the watch on a giant screen the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and Uruguay being played in Lille, at a fan zone at Concorde square. (AP Photo/Michel Euler)

An England team that was written off before the World Cup and fiercely criticized is defying those critics by starting with two solid wins. This time, the English ground past Japan 34-12 in a game prop Joe Marler will likely remember.

The 33-year-old front-row forward has played 84 tests for his country without getting over for a try but he unwittingly helped with a crucial score against Japan when a pass bounced off his head and fell to England captain Courtney Lawes to dot down.

“It’s my only assist, isn’t it?” Marler joked.

England's Joe Marler, right looks at his counterpart Japan's Jiwon Gu as a scrum is about to bind during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Japan in the Stade de Nice, in Nice, France Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) — England’s Joe Marler, right, looks at his counterpart Japan’s Jiwon Gu as a scrum is about to bind during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Japan in the Stade de Nice, in Nice, France. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Romania's Marius Simionescu, center, is tackled by South Africa's RG Snyman, left, during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) — Romania’s Marius Simionescu, center, is tackled by South Africa’s RG Snyman, left, during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Ireland's Johnny Sexton, centre, celebrates after scoring a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Tonga at the State de la Beaujoire in Nantes, France Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) — Ireland’s Johnny Sexton, centre, celebrates after scoring a try during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Tonga at the State de la Beaujoire in Nantes, France. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Wales' Rio Dyer, left leaps for the ball with Portugal's Jeronimo Portela during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Wales and Portugal in the Stade de Nice, in Nice, France Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) — Wales’ Rio Dyer, left leaps for the ball with Portugal’s Jeronimo Portela during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Wales and Portugal in the Stade de Nice, in Nice, France. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

England's Ellis Genge charges with the ball during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Japan in the Stade de Nice, in Nice, France Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole) — England’s Ellis Genge charges with the ball during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Japan in the Stade de Nice, in Nice, France. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

New Zealand's Caleb Clarke is tackled by Namibia's Johan Deysel during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and Namibia at the Stadium de Toulouse in Toulouse, France, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) — New Zealand’s Caleb Clarke is tackled by Namibia’s Johan Deysel during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and Namibia at the Stadium de Toulouse in Toulouse, France. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

Romania's Iulian Hartig, left, is tackled by South Africa's Cobus Reinach during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) — Romania’s Iulian Hartig, left, is tackled by South Africa’s Cobus Reinach during the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between South Africa and Romania at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

A French fan drinks a beer during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and Uruguay at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d'Ascq, outside Lille, France, Thursday, Sept. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler) — A French fan drinks a beer during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between France and Uruguay at the Pierre Mauroy stadium in Villeneuve-d’Ascq, outside Lille, France. (AP Photo/Michel Spingler)

Wales' Taulupe Faletau stops Portugal's Nicolas Martins during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Wales and Portugal at the Stade de Nice, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 in Nice, southern France. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole) — Wales’ Taulupe Faletau stops Portugal’s Nicolas Martins during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Wales and Portugal at the Stade de Nice, southern France. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Australia's Zane Nonggorr, center, is tackled by Fiji's Luke Tagi during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Australia and Fiji at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Etienne, France, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani) — Australia’s Zane Nonggorr, center, is tackled by Fiji’s Luke Tagi during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Australia and Fiji at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Etienne, France. (AP Photo/Laurent Cipriani)

Chile's players take part in a scrum during a warm up prior to the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Samoa and Chile at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena) — Chile’s players take part in a scrum during a warm up prior to the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between Samoa and Chile at the Stade de Bordeaux in Bordeaux, France. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Fiji's Simione Kuruvoli reacts during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Australia and Fiji at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Etienne, France, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) — Fiji’s Simione Kuruvoli reacts during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Australia and Fiji at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Etienne, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

New Zealand's Beauden Barrett is tackled by Namibia's Wian Conradie during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and Namibia at the Stadium de Toulouse in Toulouse, France, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) — New Zealand’s Beauden Barrett is tackled by Namibia’s Wian Conradie during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and Namibia at the Stadium de Toulouse in Toulouse, France. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

From the left, Portugal's Rafael Simoes, Martim Belo, Lionel Campergue and Vincent Pinto talk to supporters after the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Wales and Portugal at the Stade de Nice, Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023 in Nice, southern France. Wales won 28-8 (AP Photo/Daniel Cole) — From the left, Portugal’s Rafael Simoes, Martim Belo, Lionel Campergue and Vincent Pinto talk to supporters after the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Wales and Portugal at the Stade de Nice. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

Fiji's Isoa Nasilasila and Australia's Will Skelton challenge for the ball during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Australia and Fiji at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Etienne, France, Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard) — Fiji’s Isoa Nasilasila and Australia’s Will Skelton challenge for the ball during the Rugby World Cup Pool C match between Australia and Fiji at the Stade Geoffroy Guichard in Saint-Etienne, France. (AP Photo/Aurelien Morissard)

Irish supporters react following the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Tonga at the State de la Beaujoire in Nantes, France Saturday, Sept. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus) — Irish supporters react following the Rugby World Cup Pool B match between Ireland and Tonga at the State de la Beaujoire in Nantes, France. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

England's Ben Earl, is brought down by Japan's Pieter Labuschagne, at bottom, during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Japan in the Stade de Nice, in Nice, France Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin) — England’s Ben Earl, is brought down by Japan’s Pieter Labuschagne, at bottom, during the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Japan in the Stade de Nice, in Nice, France. (AP Photo/Pavel Golovkin)

Namibia's Damian Stevens clears the ball as New Zealand's Aaron Smith tries to block during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and Namibia at the Stadium de Toulouse in Toulouse, France, Friday, Sept. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe) — Namibia’s Damian Stevens clears the ball as New Zealand’s Aaron Smith tries to block during the Rugby World Cup Pool A match between New Zealand and Namibia at the Stadium de Toulouse in Toulouse, France. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

A Japanese supporter smiles before the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Japan in the Stade de Nice, in Nice, France Sunday, Sept. 17, 2023. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole) — A Japanese supporter smiles before the Rugby World Cup Pool D match between England and Japan in the Stade de Nice, in Nice, France. (AP Photo/Daniel Cole)

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