Rugby: ‘just’ one half of great Italian play – New Zealand win 47–17

In between, of course, there were two tries for the home side: the equaliser, which came almost straight away, with Darry breaking through after several attempts, and another from Jordan following a kick from Jordie Barrett and a pass from Carter; but there was also a penalty for the Azzurri, scored by Allan.

The second half began with a flurry of tries – four in 13 minutes. “We knew they might come back onto the pitch with a bit more bite,” explained captain Michele Lamaro. “They also changed their style of play, and we obviously can’t be happy with that first quarter of an hour. I must also say, however, that they had two or three favourable situations – moments when they took more risks and it paid off for them. I don’t think, however, that there was a drop in intensity on our part.”

After the break, Morby ‘broke away’, capitalising on the first gap in the Italian defence, and set up Roigard for a try. In the 8th minute, a try that was hugely significant from a psychological point of view: New Zealand recovered the ball in defence and turned the play around thanks to a low kick collected 50 metres further up the pitch; the resulting move led to a try by prop de Groot. Shortly afterwards, Will Jordan scored two tries in quick succession, reaching 50 career tries for the national team and becoming the leading try-scorer in the All Blacks’ centuries-old history.

Meanwhile, Niccolò Cannone had been shown a yellow card, which was later upgraded to a red. And the injuries are piling up: Faissal, who had a good first half, Lorenzo Cannone, Allan and Riccioni.

There would be enough cause to fear that the opposition might run riot. Instead, Italia – who also brought on debutant Giulio Marini – somehow regrouped. Before being forced off due to a heavy blow to the sternum, Allan produced a fine piece of play, finding the right gap and passing to Brex down the right wing: the ball went to Marin and a try was scored, converted by Paolo Garbisi, to make it 40–17.

As time ran out (and following an inexplicable ‘let-off’ for Ruben Love of the Blacks at the kick-off, who had rightly been shown a yellow card), the final points of the match were scored: a try by Vaa’i at the end of a well-worked attack.

Head coach Gonzalo Quesada spoke of an excellent first half, both in possession and off the ball, and emphasised that, overall, the team had paid the price for misplaced passes at key moments. “I’m still proud of the lads,” he adds. “We’ll keep working on the finer details. Now we’ve got another long flight ahead of us to get to Perth.” Next Saturday, Lamaro and his team-mates are set to face Australia, who today lost their home match against France 26–42.

New Zealand v Italia 47–17 (half-time 14–10). For New Zealand: 7 tries (3 by Jordan, in the 30th, 51st and 53rd minutes; Darry in the 8th minute; Roigard in the 42nd minute; de Groot in the 48th minute; Vaa’i in the 81st minute); 6 conversions (Love in the 8th, 30th, 42nd, 51st, 53rd and 81st minutes). For Italia: 2 tries (Menoncello in the 3rd minute; Marin in the 57th minute); 2 conversions (Allan in the 3rd minute, P. Garbisi in the 57th minute); 1 penalty kick (Allan in the 17th minute). Kicks at goal: Love 6 out of 7; Allan 2 out of 2; P. Garbisi 1 out of 1. N. Cannone was sent off in the 52nd minute and was replaced in the 72nd minute.