The All Blacks stuttered and stalled on the way to an unconvincing 27-6 Test rugby win over Italy that failed to ignite chilly Christchurch on Saturday night.
Seeking a quality performance leading into the Tri-Nations, the New Zealanders didn’t manage it against the world’s 12th-ranked team, with errors pock-marking a stilted affair in front of a small crowd.
It was the lowest score the All Blacks have managed in 10 Tests against the Italians and just the second time they have failed to reach 50 points.
They never looked like it in a three-try performance that lacked authority against opponents who afforded them far more opportunities than during this month’s drawn series against France.
The New Zealand forwards were solid enough against vastly more experienced opposites but the backline failed to gel, with problems emanating at first five-eighth, where Luke McAlister struggled.
Making his first Test start for nearly two years, McAlister produced some of the game’s better moments but was responsible for all manner of mistakes.
He landed five from five with his goalkicking boot and set up the first try but his general kicking game was mixed while his handling and passing were sloppy.
Italy spoke of trying to keep the score low in the lead-up and they did precisely that with an effective kicking game that gave them a decent territorial edge throughout.
Up 13-3 at halftime, the hosts failed to learn from their shortcomings in the second spell, although they managed two good tries to home town forwards Isaac Ross and George Whitelock to make the result safe.
Five All Blacks made their Test debuts, with winger Lelia Masaga and prop Wyatt Crockett doing little wrong in their starting roles while flanker Whitelock, prop Owen Franks and hooker Aled de Malmanche all came off the bench.
The All Blacks’ set piece work was the best area of their game against opponents who possess a quality scrum and lineout.
Crockett was strong on the loosehead side of the scrum while Ross again reigned in the lineout and unleashed a couple of terrific surges with ball in hand.
Italy only came close to scoring a try once, in the fourth minute from a cross kick, but Irish referee George Clancy ruled All Blacks fullback Mils Muliaina had been taken out in the air by winger Mirco Bergamasco, who forced the loose ball.
The Test ends a long season for the Italian players while the All Blacks begin the Tri-Nations with a Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia in Auckland on July 18.
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Ruputts said | June 28th 2009 @ 9:20am | Report comment
I was down the local bar and the feeling was one of total disgust at the All Blacks performance. I personally was extrememly disappointed especially with Lukes showing, i’m one who strongly believes he is just not up to Tri-Nations standard and he was rushed back in due to being one of Henrys personal selections. The game was a comedy of errors from the All Blacks schoolboy stuff that left everyone screaming at the screen. Henry has once again put NZ rugby on a knife edge by making so many changes some forced many not. Ok this is hardly going to be the Tri-Nations team but it doesn’t leave one feeling too confident.
If I take a step back the All Blacks at least didn’t let the Italians over the tryline and their scoreline wasn’t too far removed from the Australian vs Italian tests. I guess noone has actually stopped and given the Italians credit where it’s due since arriving to the southern climes. Their forward pack was more than up for the task and their first up tackling was superb they put the pressure on. Maybe just maybe the Italian side has improved over the last few years.
Nick (KIA) said | June 28th 2009 @ 11:12am | Report comment
As I’ve said repeatedly on these boards McAlister is not a 10. He proved that in spades last night. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a game where the ABs have been so dominant in possession but been unable to get out of their own half – where was the clearance from him? McAlister will hopefully get to play for juniors in the centres where he belongs now, and then spend some time in the NPC.
mother teresa said | June 28th 2009 @ 11:24am | Report comment
is there a little bit of the selector of AB backline combos stubbornly sticking with something to prove himself right?
vicky said | June 28th 2009 @ 3:11pm | Report comment
A win is a win or doesnt winning count anymore. get over yourselves and stop critizing the team all the time.
Give the team some credit its not like they only won by a point but clearly in my eyes they thrashed the italians.
Nick (KIA) said | June 28th 2009 @ 4:10pm | Report comment
Vicky,
This is only the second time they’ve failed to put 50 on the Italians, who are ranked about 10th in the world and haven’t won a 6 nations test in several years, and are at the end of an arduous tour.
I think the reaction of the Italian coaches sums up how far from thrashed they were. The ABs team and coaches have come out immediately and identified this as a performance well short of what they expected. Why shouldn’t we be unhappy with it too?
I think some credit is due to the Italians. They defended stoutly, and some of their tactical kicking was excellent.
If you want, there are some positives for the All Blacks over the last three tests – lineout has been strangely solid (relative to last couple of seasons), forwards muscled up against France in second test and were far from terrible last night. Ross has been a real find, so much so I don’t think we’ve missed Williams. Scrum was better last night and second test v France. Leonard looked sharper than alternatives.
And who says criticise the team ‘all the time’? I certainly don’t. Only when they are pants. We’re in bad shape in the inside back combo, I think we’re in a bit of trouble come 3N time.
mother teresa said | June 28th 2009 @ 4:15pm | Report comment
vicky in your eyes you will see a real thashing soon
hammer said | June 28th 2009 @ 4:54pm | Report comment
KIA granted he certainly doesn’t look like a 10 now – but when he first came on the scene he certainly could produce the goods there when asked …. this says far more about the quality of the NH scene than anything else …. it’ll be interesting to see how Elsom goes when he comes back – I’ve got a feeling he’ll be off the pace also …
not many AB’s performed last night … hard to guage the backs given Mcallister’s stuttering just didn’t provide the required quality ball … the forwards performed only in patches but surely Read won’t get anywhere the test line up again for some time – he’s right off the Thorne production line ..
… and while it may have been the correct decision – surely the video ref needs to be raked over the coals for going outside his remit …
johnno42 said | June 28th 2009 @ 5:31pm | Report comment
hammer, i have to agree, it seems like the video refs are a law unto themselves… it was clearly and often stated that the video refs can ‘only rule inside the tryline’ now it seems that they can pass judgment on anything!!! how did this happen??
Nick (KIA) said | June 28th 2009 @ 8:06pm | Report comment
hammer,
I don’t think he’s ever produced any decent form at 10 for any team that I can think of. He was passable (not as good as A Mauger) at 12 when in the ABs, and also played well at 12 for Blues.
I think the only team he had any time with at 10 was for North Harbour?
Was doing well at outside centre mostly at Sale I’m told on these fora.
If I was considering him it would only be for 12, and we already have Nonu, who is still playing well.
And he got plenty of decent ball, Leonard’s delivery was excellent. He himself said he got standing a bit too flat and duffed a number of decisions. That’s where he’s not up to it as a 10 – doesn’t make good decisions when running a backline. Crucial flaw.
He should go back to the JUniors, IMO.
Jerry said | June 28th 2009 @ 8:44pm | Report comment
Nick – he’s played 10 for the AB’s a fair few times before. He deputised for the injured Carter in the 3rd Lions test in 05 and also started two tests v Ireland in 06. He also filled in when Carter went off in a few games previously.
He was never as good as Mauger was in his prime, but by the 07 WC Mauger was not the force he had been unfortunately. An inform Mauger would have been a real stabilising presence in Cardiff.