Andrea de Rossi bursts forward. (Getty Images)

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Fly-half Rima Wakarua enjoyed a dream debut as Italy registered their first points of the World Cup with an emphatic Pool D victory over Tonga in rain-swept Canberra.

The New Zealand-born player, who is with Italian Second Division club Brescia, was the surprise inclusion in the Azzurri squad for the tournament after qualifying for the national team through residency.

But despite his inexperience he settled into international rugby with ease, steering Italy to glory with an accomplished performance at number 10 which saw him gather 21 points with the boot after missing just one shot at goal.

The Dallan brothers - Manuel and Denis - both touched down as Italy's pack dominated Tonga's forwards, especially in the back row where Andrea de Rossi, Aaron Persico and Sergio Parisse were in magnificent form, but the night belonged to Wakarua.

John Payne and Tevita Tu'ipulotu crossed for the out-gunned Tongans who battled to the end.

Their physical approach was on show as early as the second minute when former ACT Brumbies flanker Ipolito Fenukitau hauled down Gonzalo Canale with a high-challenge, earning him 10 minutes in the sin-bin.

It was a disappointing early blow for the Pacific Islanders, especially as they had raced out of the starting blocks with powerful rolling maul that swept them within 20 metres of the Italians' line.

Instead, it was John Kirwan's men who drew first blood through a Wakarua penalty - and they almost extended their lead in the 10th minute when Christian Stoica and Nicola Mazzucato combined down the left before the latter was scragged by Tonga's wide defence.

Italy continued to threaten with a bullocking run from flanker de Rossi, winning another penalty when the big blindside was eventually hauled down to give Wakarua another shot at goal, which the fly-half gratefully accepted.

In contrast Tonga's Sateki Tu'ipulotu was having trouble with the boot, missing two kickable penalties, and just to rub salt into the wound Wakarua slotted his third in the 30th minute following excellent work from number eight Parisse.

The score sparked Tongan's attacking machine into life however as they surged upfield and stretched the Italians' line to breaking point, using quick hands in the backs to feed Payne who dived over in the corner.

New Zealand referee Steve Walsh went to the television match official for confirmation but there was no need for the second opinion - it was a clear try and Tu'ipulotu added the near-touchline conversion.

But the Azzurri took a stranglehold on the game early in the second half, could not be denied for long - de Rossi enjoyed another powerful burst and the ball was quickly redistributed to the impressive Wakarua, who drew two players before feeding Manuel Dallan.

Dallan had picked the perfect line and he charged home unopposed with Wakarua inevitably landing the extras, while Tonga's problems grew when their skipper Inoke Afeaki was stretchered off.

But Italy were caught napping in the 58th minute when winger Tu'ifua took advantage of a wayward rearguard to ghost round the corner and touch down, Wakarua replying with his fourth penalty.

Two more players went to the bin - Milton Ngaumo for Tonga and Italy's Fabio Ongaro both saw yellow cards - with Tonga's offence being further punished by the pinpoint kicking of their inexperienced fly-half. Denis Dallan guaranteed the result with an opportunist try before wrapping up his evening's work with another five-pointer in injury time, winning a foot race for the line to bag his sixth five-pointer for Italy.

Teams

Italy: Canale, Mazzucato, Stoica, M. Dallan, D. Dallan, Wakarua, Troncon, Lo Cicero, Ongaro, Castrogiovanni, Dellape, Bortolami, De Rossi, Persico, Parisse.

Replacements: Masi for Stoica (80), Perugini for Castrogiovanni (74), Checchinato for Dellape (67), Festuccia for De Rossi (71).

Not Used: M. Bergamasco, Mazzantini, Mazzariol.

Tries: M. Dallan, D. Dallan 2.

Cons: Wakarua 3.

Pens: Wakarua 5.

Sin Bin: Ongaro (69).

Tonga: Hola, Fonua, Leger, Payne, Tui'fua, Tuipulotu, Martens, Lea'aetoa, Taukafa, Lavaka, Vaki, M. Ngauamo, I. Afeaki, Fenukitau, Kivalu.

Replacements: J. Ngauamo for Leger (54), Pulu for Lea'aetoa (73), Ma'asi for Taukafa (70), Va'enuku for Lavaka (74), Latu for I. Afeaki (56), S. Afeaki for Fenukitau (13).

Not Used: Alatini.

Tries: Payne, Tui'fua.

Cons: Tuipulotu.

Sin Bin: Fenukitau (2), M. Ngauamo (67).

Att: 22,000

Ref: Steve Walsh (New Zealand).