New Zealand………………. 96pts
Tries: Jordan 6, 69; Smith 16, 26, 33; Telea 19, Savea 21, 40+2; Retallick 50, Papali’i 56, Coles 60, 72; McKenzie 66, Linert-Brown 75
Italy………………………………. 17pts
Conversions: Mo’unga 7, 17, 20, 22, 27, 34, 40, 51, 56; McKenzie 67, 70, 73, 76
Tries: Capuozzo 47, Ioane 80
Conversions: Allan 48, Garbisi 80
Penalties: Allan 9
NEW Zealand, affronted by the mere suggestion that Italy might be capable of an upset win, tore the Azzurri to pieces limb by limb with an astonishing 80-minute demolition job in Lyon.
After working hard in camp during their long break following the Namibia game, the All Blacks went to work to secure the statement win they possibly needed heading towards the business end of the tournament.
After the formality of beating Uruguay this coming weekend the winners of Pool B will line up against New Zealand in a quarter-final for the ages.
In Lyon the Kiwis scored 14 tries, seven in each half, and dominated every area from start to finish to an embarrassing degree.
And just to rub salt into gaping Italians wounds Richie Mo’unga and replacement Damian McKenzie missed just one of the 14 conversions, very few of which were easy. It was perfection from New Zealand and underlines why the bookies had made them pre-tournament favourites.
Perhaps we should have been warned. That Rugby Championship included a win over South Africa which included an opening 20-minute three-try blitzkrieg which hinted at just how good this class of 2023 could be. On that occasion, they went off the boil against much stronger opponents. But not this time.
Additionally, this is the first time in a while they have fielded a fully fit Gun XV. They were on a mission and like all New Zealand sides they were never sated. The All Blacks never ‘declare’ after 50 or 60 points against outclassed opponents.
As for Italy it will surely be a monumental dent to the self-confidence. Their forwards just disappeared, their scrummage was a mess from the start soon followed by the normally smooth functioning lineout. Italy’s often prominent back row was invisible and with no ball, no platform, they forlornly chased the game and turned over what little possession they did earn. Their defence was weak and disorganised, not to mention shell shocked. It was a shambles.
The wonder is that they still managed to score two cracking tries, one apiece for Ange Capuozzo and Monty Ioane, the former a contender for try of the tournament.
Silly errors – a needless forward pass from Stephen Varney and not rolling away by Giacomo Nicotera – gifted New Zealand the position to score their opening two tries from Will Jordan and Aaron Smith inside the first 15 minutes and after that was one way traffic. Smith completed a hat-trick before half-time, MOM Ardie Savea scored a brace and there was another from Mark Telea.
Italy fired for about 10 minutes in the second half with that very well worked and spectacularly taken try by Capuozzo before another mistake by Varney led to a try for Brodie Retallick and New Zealand were on their way again.
Dalton Papali’i, Dane Coles with a brace, Jordan again, livewire replacement Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown all helped themselves to tries as the All Blacks chased three figures. They seemed likely to reach that landmark but Italy, to their credit, did rally in the final five minutes and the try fashioned for Ioane was another very decent score.
No consolation, mind. Afterward coach Kieran Cowley, who was almost laughing with resignation by midway through the match, said his side would just “bin the game”, try and banish it from their collective memory as they prepare to play France on Friday when, in theory, the most unlikely of wins could yet see them qualify for a quarter-final.
They will play much better, surely, and restore some pride but the way back after this performance will be long and difficult.
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