New Zealand 47-17 Italy: Will Jordan cuts down the Italians and speeds into the record books

By Sam Jackson

New Zealand … 47pts

Tries: Darry 8, Jordan 30, 51, 54; Roigard 42, de Groot 48, Vaa’i 81

Conversions: Love 9, 31, 43, 52, 55, 82

Italy …………………17pts

Tries: Menoncello 3, Marin 57

Conversions: Allan 4, Garbisi 58

Penalty: Allan 18

Will Jordan rewrote the record books as New Zealand powered to a victory over Italy in Wellington to maintain their unbeaten start to the inaugural Nations Championship and hand Dave Rennie a second successive win as All Blacks head coach.

Jordan’s hat-trick took him to 50 Test tries in just 56 internationals, moving him clear of Doug Howlett as New Zealand’s all-time leading men’s try scorer in a remarkable achievement for one of world rugby‘s deadliest finishers.

However, while the final score suggested a comfortable afternoon, the All Blacks were forced to overcome a sluggish opening before eventually blowing Italy away after the break.

“It is hugely humbling,” said Jordan. “I think back to practising chip-and-chase in the backyard as a kid. I’ve been lucky to play in some great teams.”

Match action

Italy arrived in Wellington looking to bounce back from last week’s shock defeat to Japan and made the brighter start, silencing the home crowd inside three minutes when Tommaso Menoncello capitalised on an All Blacks error to race over for the opening try.

The hosts responded through lock Sam Darry, but Rennie’s side struggled to impose themselves during an untidy first half.

Italy’s aggressive line speed disrupted New Zealand’s rhythm, they competed fiercely at the breakdown and regularly forced handling errors from the home side.

Despite being second best for long spells, the All Blacks edged ahead when Jordie Barrett chipped over the defence and Leroy Carter brilliantly kept the move alive for Jordan to collect and score his first try of the afternoon.

That helped New Zealand take a 14-10 advantage into half-time despite an underwhelming opening 40.

Star: Will Jordan on his way to scoring for New Zealand.

PICTURE: Getty Images

Second half

New Zealand emerged with renewed intensity and effectively settled the contest inside the opening quarter of the second half.

Debutant Josh Moorby, introduced late in the first half on his 28th birthday, made an immediate impact by combining superbly with Hurricanes team-mate Cam Roigard before helping create wave after wave of attacking opportunities.

Prop Ethan de Groot crashed over before Moorby’s blistering break set up Jordan’s second try, drawing the fullback level with Howlett’s long-standing national record of 49 Test tries.

History arrived moments later.

Quick thinking from Barrett with a tapped penalty caught Italy outw, allowing Jordan to complete his hat-trick and move outright to the top of New Zealand’s all-time scoring charts with his 50th Test try.

Italy refused to fold despite losing lock Niccolò Cannone to a red card after his yellow was upgraded for an attempted headbutt on Roigard.

Leownardo Marin crossed for a late consolation try, while the All Blacks also finished with 14 men after Ruben Love was sin-binned for a deliberate knock-on.