New Zealand vs Italy LIVE: Rugby World Cup result and reaction as ruthless All Blacks score 14 tries in rout
New Zealand 96-17 Italy: All Blacks turn on the style to hammer Italy and all but confirm place in World Cup quarter-finals
New Zealand ran in 14 tries to destroy Italy 96-17 for a bonus-point victory in Pool A and take a decisive step towards the quarter-finals at the Rugby World Cup on Friday.
The All Blacks, with lock Sam Whitelock celebrating a record 149th cap, showed no mercy at Lyon’s Groupama Stadium as Will Jordan (2), Aaron Smith (3), Mark Telea, Ardie Savea (2), Brodie Retallick, Dalton Papali’i, Dane Coles (2), Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown scored tries -- all but one converted by Richie Mo’unga (9) or McKenzie (4).
Italy’s hopes of an upset quickly went up in smoke and they only got on the scoreboard thanks to second-half tries by Ange Capuozzo and Montanna Ioane as well as points from the tee by Tommaso Allan and Paolo Garbisi.
The result put New Zealand in second place with 10 points, ahead of the Azzurri on points difference and three points behind group leaders France, who will take on Italy next Friday, one day after the All Blacks face Uruguay.
Follow all the latest from the Pool A match below. Get all the Rugby World Cup odds here, plus the latest tips and free bets on the World Cup here.
New Zealand 35-3 Italy, 31 minutes
But even their own scrum feed can’t grant Italy a reprieve. Marco Riccioni is free kicked for stepping off the mark on the engagement. New Zealand fancy another midfield shove as their backs spread left and right.
New Zealand 35-3 Italy, 30 minutes
For the first time in what feels like an age, an All Blacks error! It comes after 30 metres are made with yet more ominous intent, Shannon Frizell back amongst things and prominent after a month and a bit out. But a little fumble on the floor saves Italy just outside their own 22 - though the damage is already, decisively done.
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 35-3 Italy (Aaron Smith try, 27 minutes)
Maul might, scrum half snipe - another All Blacks try!
Eek. It’s getting ugly for Italy. The New Zealand maul creeps forth inexorably, with Matthew Carley not obliged to command them to use it with that forward movement still clear. Aaron Smith simply bides his time and picks his moment, with Codie Taylor a willing accomplice at the back of the maul. Smith’s over for his second as New Zealand convert their fifth 22 entry into their fifth try. Another conversion extends the lead further.
New Zealand 28-3 Italy, 26 minutes
The fourth penalty against Italy comes at scrum time, with replacement Ivan Nemer under pressure from Nepo Laulala. The All Blacks go marching on down into enemy territory again.
New Zealand 28-3 Italy, 24 minutes
You feel a bit for Giacomo Nicotera, left exposed on an island against a carrier of Savea’s unique blend of speed, stepping and size, but the Italy hooker should have done a lot better with his tackle attempt there, going low but failing to keep his legs moving.
That’s not flash from Nicotera, either - his lineout throw drifts off line.
Here’s the All Blacks score that got it all started:
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 28-3 Italy (Ardie Savea try, 22 minutes)
A dummied maul and Ardie Savea saunters in!
All too easy for New Zealand. Italy pile the forwards in to try to defend the drive, but the ball is whipped away to a wheeling Ardie Savea. Savea finds rather meek opposition around the corner, a single Italian defender playing touch, and the bonus point is already New Zealand’s with little more than 20 minutes gone.
New Zealand 21-3 Italy, 21 minutes
To add injury to insult for Italy, Danilo Fischetti was helped off between those two scores in severe discomfort in his upper body. Ivan Nemer is on but fails to appropriately clear out Codie Taylor; penalty New Zealand, and back into Italy’s 22 they go.
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 21-3 Italy (Mark Telea try, 19 minutes)
From coast to coast!
Oh, do the All Blacks fancy this or what? Straight from the kick off, New Zealand go the length, Brodie Retallick’s tip on putting Ardie Savea into a half-hole, which the number eight opens up into a great gaping chasm.
Off he goes, too quick for the Italian chasers to reel him in, with Beauden Barrett his closest company as Savea approaches the backfield defenders. Savea finds his full back, who spreads it wider to Mark Telea, who weaves and writhes to the line through three relatively soft tackles.
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 14-3 Italy (Aaron Smith try, 17 minutes)
Aaron Smith is the unlikely scorer from the maul!
Typically smart scrum half play from the veteran nine, letting the burly blokes do the heavy lifting and applying the finishing touches. Italy don’t actually defend the drive too badly initially but Will Jordan’s intelligent injection ensures they can’t get their limbs through to the ball, and Smith also wisely involves himself to make totally certain of the score.
New Zealand 7-3 Italy, 14 minutes
Jordie Barrett is halted in full flow by Giacomo Nicotera, who looks to take a nasty hip to the head as the inside centre changes direction at the line. Nicotera is then penalised for his failure to roll away, which perhaps feels harsh - though the hooker is back on his feet and ready to defend as New Zealand opt for the corner.
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