Rome win: New Zealand
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New Zealand extended their unbeaten run to 19 games with a 42-10 win over Italy at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.
The world champions led from start to finish to maintain their perfect record against Italy, who put up a solid challenge in the first half but ultimately couldn't match the visitors' attacking firepower.
New Zealand led 13-7 at half time.
An early score from skipper Kieran Read and two penalties from Aaron Cruden gave the All Blacks their 13-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
But the Azzurri were still in contention at the interval thanks to a try from centre Alberto Sgarbi.
Ma'a Nonu touched down early in the second period however to give the tourists a healthy lead before Cory Jane put the result beyond doubt.
Julian Savea added two late tries in the space of two minutes as the All Blacks finished strongly.
The visitors scored 29 points to Italy's three after the break but they had to wait 13 minutes for their first points in Rome, which came courtesy of Chiefs playmaker Cruden's close-range penalty goal.
Outside centre Conrad Smith then scooped up a loose ball and sent number eight Read over before fly-half Cruden converted and soon added his second penalty of the match..
Sgarbi crossed in reply with Orquera converting as Italy went into the break only six down.
But the world champion All Blacks turned it on after the break with tries from centre Nonu and wing duo Jane and Savea saw them claim a comfortable victory at the Stadio Olimpico.
The scorers:
For Italy:
Try: Sgarbi
Con: Orquera
Drop: Orquera
For New Zealand:
Tries: Read, Nonu, Jane, Savea 2
Cons: Cruden 4
Pens: Cruden 3
Italy: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Giovambattista Venditti, 13 Tommaso Benvenuti, 12 Alberto Sgarbi, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Simone Favaro, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Francesco Minto, 4 Antonio Pavanello, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Andrea Lo Cicero.
Replacements: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 Quintin Geldenhuys, 20 Mauro Bergamasco, 21 Robert Barbieri, 22 Tobias Botes, 23 Luke McLean.
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Hosea Gear, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Ali Williams, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Sam Whitelock, 20 Victor Vito, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Dan Carter, 23 Cory Jane.
Venue: Stadio Olimpico
Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland)
Comments
doldennut says...
@ruckingkiwi the only donut is you, with the cream you have for your beloved team. Hey dont get me wrong, they're an awesome team and the best in the world hands down, but nothing sounds more ridiculous than small mind, small town coming into the big city and shouting from the roof tops they're the best, and the rest of us are s%&t. Tell us something we didnt know! I dont think McCaw ever shoots his mouth off, so funny how a % of AB followers do. Makes for good reading though.
Anyways back to it, you still havent convinced anyone on here (non-AB supporters) that an AB pack without Kaino Thorn and McCaw, has anyone quaking in their boots. If you think guys like Messam, Cane and Romano are going to send shivers up anyones spine, you're grossly mistaken, cos they dont have the steel...yet!
Posted 10:27 23rd November 2012
carpelone says...
ruckingkiwi
Your post is quite confused. Can you please re-phrase it?
Take it easy, short sentences, bullet points would suffice..
Posted 16:03 22nd November 2012
ruckingkiwi says...
Carperlone, you'd assume after South Africa's successful year full of draws and losses, followed by try laden victories over Scotland and Ireland, that'd you'd be spending your valuable time posting over on the South African page suggesting ways they may celebrate their wonderful play - not over here criticising NZ for running in 90+ points on tour with two different teams. Why is it that you choose to criticise the All Blacks for attempting to play the type of rugby that you'd give your right bollock for the SpringBoks to play? It doesn't make sense.
Posted 19:13 20th November 2012
dan73 says...
Masi regurlarly plays centre for London Wasps...
Posted 14:18 20th November 2012
lorenz78 says...
@macte
as I wrote, I think Masi has been tried in the centres without much success, and he is our best choice at full back in my opinion.
On the other side, Mirco Bergamasco has played some club games at 12 and apparently he was not so bad. I am not sure he is such an awful ball-handler (of course he is no Conrad Smith , but may be better than Sgarbi...)
Posted 09:17 20th November 2012
carpelone says...
BillyMutt
If you want to understand, it is ok. If you don't, I will come to terms with that.
Hope to be able to live with that.
Posted 20:34 19th November 2012
macte says...
@ lorenz78 and lucasrg
Masi and Bergamaso as centres? You must be joking. What do you think they'll do when they receive that funny shaped object (others call it ball). Do you think they'll be able to pass it (if necessary, of course), or they'll just tug it under their arms and run straight? (straight on their opponents, by the way).
I really don't understand how you don't realise that centres have to be ball handlers, before anything else. We had the perfect example of what a centre should do watching Conrad Smith, last Saturday. What else do you need?
Posted 19:01 19th November 2012
lorenz78 says...
@lucasrg
I would like to see Mirco Bergamasco in the centres, and Brunel talked about it (apparently Mirco played a few club games at number 12, and the coach liked it). Though he sees more depth for us in the centres.
Concerning Masi I think other coaches tried him in midfield but it never really worked. I prefer him as a full-back, also because I am not a huge fan of the other choices in that position (McLean..?)
Posted 16:26 19th November 2012
rugby_rockstar says...
I like how EVERYONE raises their game against NZ. its brilliant for the neutral fans.
Now hopefully Coaches all over the world are going to rip uo their play books and play decent rugby, becasue NZ are untouchable at the moment and its all down to their workrate in support. It really is assault rifle vs wooden club when it comes to anyone facing the All Blacks right now. How long before people wise up and copy what they are doing?
Posted 13:23 19th November 2012
Lucasrg says...
Yeah the game was enjoyble till the 60' minute. Probably in Burnel's head he tought " look, we're not gonna win this one anyway, let's try some subs".
The All Blacks did well and were very cynical. Well deserved victory. C.Smith is probably the most intelligent center in the world.
Brunel should really try Masi at 12 and Mirco at 13. There were signs of improvements by the Italians. Still imo, Venditti proved me right that he's not a good defender. In couple of tries for NZ he was off position and not on the right man.
All in all, it's pretty promising Brunel's job so I'm very happy what the Azzurri can play ball in hand.
Australia will be warned!
Posted 13:18 19th November 2012
macte says...
@ kybone and scorpion
I'm not suggesting that rugby has to be played by smaller guys, but that in Italy if you are under a certain weight and height, you'll never be considered for the high level game, no matter how effective you might be on the pitch.
During regional meetings, federal coaches tell us to signal kids of 14, 15 or 16 years old who are taller than 185 cm and weigh more than 80 kg. And this is happening now, apparently it's the only thing that matters: a Shane Williams wouldn't have had a chance in Italy.
Federal coaches think that it's easier to teach a big boy how to play, than getting a boy who plays well to grow muscles and weight. In this way you won't use the great part of Italian junior players and, worst of all, you give the idea that smaller kids can never play rugby. What a pity!
The result of this politic, so far at least, is that Italy have big players, but they more or less lack of personal skills.
Posted 13:16 19th November 2012
BillyMutt2 says...
Carpelone, hit a raw nerve there dude? Any way, there goes any remnant of credibility you may have had. Cheers.
Posted 13:01 19th November 2012
lorenz78 says...
I saw the game at the stadium and cannot say too much about refereeing in the rucks, so I'll share a few thoughts about other issues:
1) no Italian in its senses thought about a chance for victory, but I believe Italy did put up a fight well after half-time. I think we crumbled in the last fifteen minutes, with three tries which were a good show of the All Blacks skills, but also related to the fact that our defence and organisation had weakened by that time;
2) somebody's saying that with 14 changes from the game against Scotland this was somewhat a weakened team. Maybe, but let us assume that New Zealand would play the final game of a World Cup tomorrow: which of the players left off would for sure be starting? Carter, McCaw and..? I think this shows the depth of available players more than snubbing the game. By the way Cruden took the 3 points on all the easy penalties, so I just do not believe they were taking it as a competitiv training;
3) I appreciate Brunel attempt to have our backs playing, though I still see it developing quite slowly. We scored a try after endless playing at 10 meters from the line (and at least one overlap that was missed). Two lost balls by Mirco Bergamasco in good position were due to the lack of support.
4) Italy never got possession from its kick-offs (maybe one time when it bounced from AB's hands: I wonder if it is casual or if there are tactical reason
Posted 09:49 19th November 2012
carpelone says...
kitch
Tell me why it is a NZ bashing post.
The truth is that between NZ first team and Italy first team there probably 30 points and more than 50 between NZ 2nd team and Italy second one.
Of course I cheer for the underdogs, but I think that Italy played better than I (and maybe New Zealand) expected.
The heading AB rule in Rome was not adherent to what we saw on the pitch.
Posted 09:02 19th November 2012
nzmaoriboy says...
Side note though the AB's were not very convincing! The 42-10 scoreline is Italys biggest home loss in over 3 years. I'd Imagine any team other than the all blacks scoring this amount of points would be crowing. Their have been some pretty close games with the likes of France/england/Scotland/Australia/France..so its obviously not an easy feat.
Posted 02:30 19th November 2012
fraserpark says...
props playing fly half locks running in the backline constant tackling goal kicking? best in the world at what? ill take my sons to soccer thanks
Posted 02:14 19th November 2012
kitch says...
carpelone
typical AB bashing post as usual!
Jeeze if the ABs hadnt scored 5 tries then italy woudve won!.. if the ABs didnt commit any penalties then the game mightve been closer! If the ABs missed a few more tackles then italy mightve scored a couple more tries! If the ref penalised the ABs for every offence then the game wouldve been alot closer!!
rugby is 15 against 15.. i would suggest most teams at home are able to foot it with the ABs in the first 40... but the 2nd 40 is what sets the ABs apart..they are consistently able to maintain the same intensity and skill and thus beat most teams.
having said that italy did play really well but not well enough to win
Posted 23:58 18th November 2012
Trader2 says...
@Carpelone now stop trying to do a Trinats and tell little porkies. So SH gave you a call did he and admitted he was worried?. Usually coaches are worried from the first whistle to the last no matter who they are playing.
Posted 22:06 18th November 2012
BillyMutt2 says...
@doldenut(s): "AB's forward pack are pussies without Thorne, Kaino and McCaw..come on international rugby they are there for the taking!!!!" There for the taking? Really? Even without iron men Thorne and Kaino the AB's have done quite well thus far, thank you - seen some of the results lately?
OK to dream but I sure hope you can handle the inevitable disappointment - they are not there for the taking. The only team right now with a realistic chance of beating the All Blacks is France. And even that may not last for long, if France's recent history is any indication. We'll find out next year.
Posted 21:28 18th November 2012
Golden_statenba says...
Have to kind of agree with Billy there.
Its like when NZ play Italy in football. They may draw but there is no way they are going to win.
You put some prospective on it yes Italy played way above themselves and due respect but never for one minute did I worry Italy were going to win so I'm sure the coach was not to worried. Maybe frustrated?
I did enjoy the first half tho and it was great to see the Italians playing like that.
You can even put it down to things like fitness. The Italians were nearly out on their feet at the end which is when gaps opened and tries were scored.
Also yes most teams lift above their weight when playing top ranked teams. We saw the pumas do it also. These Latin teams do pose problems for the ABs due to their unpredictable play but I do think the only team that poses a true threat is of course the french with the pumas catching up.
Maybe England and Wales should watch tape of these teams??
Posted 20:25 18th November 2012