New Zealand crush Italy, Blues to wait for qualification

The announced “shock” between New Zealand and Italy turned into a correction in Lyon on Friday with a very big victory for the Blacks over the Azzurri (96-17) who received 14 attempts a week to find the French fifteenth.

New Zealand inflicted a heavy defeat on Italy 96-17 on Friday night in Lyon, taking a big step towards the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup. Thanks to this improved success, the All Blacks regain second place ahead of their evening rivals with ten points, the same as the Italians, and three points behind France, before the final day of Group A.

The New Zealanders gave a weak Italy no hope, breaking away with great speed to claim the attacking bonus point after just 22 minutes and scoring a total of 14 tries. Going into the final day of the group stage, they had regained their place in the favourites, along with France, South Africa and Ireland. Despite the defeat, Italy are not out yet, but they will need to beat France on October 6 in Lyon to hope of reaching the quarter-finals.

>> Live the New Zealand-Italy Experience (96-17)

Italian Golgotha

For the Nazione, the hope of winning the scalp of the Men in Black for the first time in their history lasted only a minute. It was time for the All Blacks to steal the ball from their opponents in their camp and advance patiently but inevitably towards the Azzurro goal. The goal was achieved five minutes later by winger Will Jordan, who received a pass from the feet of Jordie Barrett to score from a corner for the first try of the match, converted by Richie Mo'unga (7-0.6).

To respond to the brilliance of their three players, the All Blacks forwards also showed their muscles, pushing, after a penalty, the Italian group on a carried ball that was finished by half-back Aaron Smith (14-3, 17). Unable to compete in the fixed phases, overwhelmed by the speed of the New Zealanders, deprived of the ball, the rest was a long way from the cross for Italy, reduced to the role of sparring partner, Ibrahim Asloum heading against Mike Tyson.

From the 23rd minute, the New Zealanders had the extra attacking point (28-3). Twenty minutes later, they returned to the locker room with a score that was a signal to the French government: 49-3. The Men in Black did not relax their grip in the second half, adding to their six tries scored during the first quarter, eight more, PlayStation-style, each more beautiful than the other, stitched with gold threads by the magic of the Men in Black.

“Free Rugby”

They left only crumbs for the Italians: two tries from wingers Angie Capuzzo and Monti Ioane, but they did nothing to close the gap that still exists between the two teams. The Italians can only rejoice that they did not suffer a record defeat against the All Blacks, who lost 101-3 to the New Zealanders in 1999. So the All Blacks reminded themselves that they are still at the top of the world rugby ladder.

“We have talent in all areas of the game but we haven’t found our groove yet,” said Ardie Savea, the captain of the Black-clad team, on the microphone from Sky Sports. “We’ve been playing free rugby.” Playing forward, with the pace and skill they showed, mixing full-backs and forwards together, they looked unstoppable.

Ireland, who they are likely to face in the quarter-finals in Saint-Denis, have been warned not to expect any surprises. Meanwhile, the All Blacks can enjoy themselves. In Lyon, they gave Sam Whitelock another feast for his 149th cap in the black jersey, beating the record held by Richie McCaw, who is at Lyon.