New Zealand crushes Italy, and will wait for the Blues to qualify

The declared “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 team (96-17), which received 14 attempts per week to find the French fifteenth.

New Zealand inflicted a very heavy defeat on Italy 96-17 on Friday evening in Lyon, taking a big step towards the quarter-finals of the 2023 World Cup. Thanks to this greatly improved success, the All Blacks regain second place against their evening rival. With ten points, like the Italians, and three points behind France, before the last day of the first group.

The New Zealanders gave a weakened Italy no hope, breaking away at great speed to claim the attacking bonus point after just 22 minutes and scoring a total of 14 tries. Before the final day of the group stage, they regained their favorites status, just like France, South Africa and Ireland. Despite this defeat, Italy has not yet been eliminated, but will have to beat the French team on October 6 in Lyon in the hope of qualifying to the quarter-finals.

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

Italian Calvary

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

To respond to the versatility 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-half Aaron Smith (14-3, 17). Unable to compete in the set stages, overwhelmed by the speed of the New Zealanders, deprived of the ball, the rest was a long way from crossing for Italy, reduced to the role of sparring partner, Ibrahim Asloum going against Mike Tyson.

From the 23rd minute, the New Zealanders got the extra attacking point (28-3). After 20 minutes, they returned to the locker room with a score in the form of a signal for the French government: 49-3. The men in black did not loosen their grip in the second half, adding to their six attempts scored during the first term, eight more, PlayStation-style, each more beautiful than the last, stitched with golden threads with the magic of the men in black.

“Free Rugby”

They left only crumbs for the Italians: two attempts from wingers Ange Capuzzo and Monte Ioani, but they did not help reduce the gap that still existed between the two teams. The Italian national team can only rejoice that they did not suffer a record defeat to the Lions, who lost 101-3 to the New Zealanders in 1999. Therefore, the All Blacks stated 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 the right click yet. Tonight, we played free rugby,” Men in Black captain Ardi Savea said into the microphone from Sky Sports. Playing forward, with the pace and skill they showed, and the full-backs and strikers mixed together, they looked unstoppable.

Ireland, who they are likely to face in the quarter-finals in Saint-Denis, have been warned to bar any surprises. In the meantime, the All Blacks can have fun. At Lyon, they gave Sam Whitelock a fresh feast for his 149th selection in the black jersey, beating on this occasion the record he held with Richie McCaw, who is at Lyon.