Facing a very efficient and inspired New Zealand team, Italy conceded a very heavy defeat in Lyon on Friday (96-17). The All Blacks offered a real offensive festival and proved that they were to be reckoned with in this competition.
Published on: 09/29/2023 – 22:54
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Winger Will Jordan only needed seven minutes to improve his statistics on September 29 against Italy. He scored his 24th try in an All Blacks jersey, in just 27 caps, thanks to a superb pass from Jordie Barrett. This 25-year-old was perfect in receiving the ball and then offered the OL Stadium crowd a superb dive to flatten the ball.
Several of his teammates were quick to imitate him. The New Zealanders attacked this meeting with flying colors and were very effective. Aaron Smith, Mark Telea and captain Ardie Savea in turn scored tries, allowing New Zealand to pocket the offensive bonus point in the 22nd minute of the match. With only one penalty scored, the Italians found themselves trailing 28 to 3 after a catastrophic first quarter of the game.
The rest was not much easier for the Squadra Azzurra players who saw Aaron Smith score another try in the 27th minute on a perfect ball carried by the All Blacks. A New Zealand veteran very strong on the Lyon pitch who even scored a hat-trick in the 34th minute, allowing his team to lead 42-3. Just before half-time, the All Blacks won 49-3 with a new essay by Ardie Savea transformed by Richie Mo’unga, author of a 100% success.
This first period allowed the New Zealanders to demonstrate their great technical qualities. Facing amorphous Italians, they produced a lot of play, alternating power and speed. Criticized after their inaugural defeat against the Blues (27-13), they wanted to show a different side against Italy and remind people that they always had to be reckoned with in this competition.
A new selection record for Sam Whitelock
With such a lead, New Zealand was quickly able to bring in its finishers. In the 49th minute, Shannon Frizell, who was making his debut in this World Cup, gave way to Sam Whitelock, who thus established a new record for selections in the All Black jersey (149). A few minutes later, third row Sam Cane, usual New Zealand captain, and prop Tyrel Lomax also entered the field after missing the start of the competition due to injury.
The new entrants showed themselves to be at the level by adding to the bill. They immediately responded to the good try scored in the 48th minute by fullback Ange Capuozzo after a very nice movement from the transalpine three-quarters. A minute later, second Brodie Retallick scored New Zealand’s eighth try. The last half hour was a long ordeal for the Italians, punished for each of their mistakes. They conceded six additional tries, finally losing 96 to 17.
This meeting allowed the New Zealanders to rehearse their ranges and find their bearings, with a now complete team. They have sent a very clear message ahead of the World Cup quarter-finals which they will reach if they beat Uruguay in their final group match. A simple formality given the quality of the game developed against the Italians. The latter can still dream of moving on to the next phase, provided they beat the Blues on October 6 in the same Lyon stadium. The Italians have a week to recover from the correction inflicted by the All Blacks and try to raise their heads.
