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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June 28th 2009 @ 8:57pm
Nick (KIA) said | June 28th 2009 @ 8:57pm | Report comment
Jerry – I can’t remember his form in any of the three games you mention.
But three games three years ago in a very strong all blacks side doesn’t convince me he’s up to starting tests as a 10 in 2009.
Don’t get me wrong, I think he’s a talented player, it’s just enfuriating that he’s being picked on no form from injured after playing in a different comp in a different position for the key position in the backline. Not that we’ve got 1000′s of options I suppose.
It’s a bit like Weepu at the Hurricanes this year, a manufactured solution that just isn’t going to work.
I’d probably take a deep breath and give Slade a go if Donald isn’t right (would have been a good time v Italy) – at least he’s a ten (and can cover wing!
).
At the start of the season I was worried about lock with Williams out, but Ross has been a revelation. He’s calling the lineouts which were great against France. 10 needs a similar solution.
June 28th 2009 @ 8:58pm
Nick (KIA) said | June 28th 2009 @ 8:58pm | Report comment
Edit: But three games three years ago in a very strong all blacks side doesn’t convince me he’s up to starting tests as a 10 in 2009.
should read:
But three games three years ago in a very strong all blacks side against second tier opposition doesn’t convince me he’s up to starting tests as a 10 in 2009 in the 3N
June 28th 2009 @ 9:46pm
Colin N said | June 28th 2009 @ 9:46pm | Report comment
McAlister mostly played at 13 at Sale and was very good, although he was quite often used as second receiver, so he sometimes acted as a 12.
When he played at 10, he was poor, and didn’t seem to have the ability to control the game. He can kick a fair distance, but too often chose to kick at the wrong times. To be fair, I think playing outside Hodgson has improved his decision making skills, but since he hasn’t played for 3 months, he’s not going to be match fit. It’s a shame because he started the season very well, including an awesome display away at Clermont, but slowly, after the niggling injuries hit, he lost a bit of form, and was quite inconsistant from then on.
“this says far more about the quality of the NH scene than anything else”
But if the NH lacked quality, the likes of Jack and McAlister would be nominated for the players of the season, wouldn’t they?
June 29th 2009 @ 7:45am
Jerry said | June 29th 2009 @ 7:45am | Report comment
Nick – I don’t necessarily think he is either, but I’m still not convinced Donald is a better option.
June 29th 2009 @ 8:07am
Nick (KIA) said | June 29th 2009 @ 8:07am | Report comment
Colin,
I think it’s outrageous that some people (who have never watched a second of NH rugby) are trying to use McAlister’s lack of form so far in NZ as an indication of the relative strength of NH rugby. I’d ignore such comments and focus on the results of matches between the relevant countries.
To me, midyear form places SA>Aus>France>NZ>Italy of the teams that have played.
June 29th 2009 @ 11:20am
David said | June 29th 2009 @ 11:20am | Report comment
if you guys could switch the focus off McAlister – I’m interested to know how Craig Gower went against the All Blacks – and try to avoid any anti-rugby leaguee bias, please
June 29th 2009 @ 11:27am
Sam Taulelei said | June 29th 2009 @ 11:27am | Report comment
Nick
Agree with comments about McAlister’s worth as a no.10. Have never been convinced of his qualities in that position and wasn’t surprised to see his lack of control or vision. Also agree that his poor form doesn’t relate in any way to strength of club rugby in NH. I thought the All Blacks were dreadful in that first half, one of the worst performances ever under Henry.
Italy played very well in comparison and the shots of the two coaching boxes at fulltime couldn’t have been more contrasting. There will be personnel changes some forced and some expected for the Tri Nations opener but there are signs that this is a team lacking in confidence. Their performances so far has been disjointed and there is a lack of rhythm and timing in attack, players are a bit overanxious and guily of flat running, frontrunning and throwing passes just behind players.
They know they’re a better side that what they’ve produced so far but the harder they try the worse things get. They have a lot of things to work on over the next three weeks to be a chance against the Wallabies who are building in confidence with every game.
June 29th 2009 @ 11:31am
Jerry said | June 29th 2009 @ 11:31am | Report comment
Gower was pretty good – certainly offers a more attacking presence than Italy have usually had in their 10′s.
June 29th 2009 @ 11:41am
Brett McKay said | June 29th 2009 @ 11:41am | Report comment
Jerry, and that’s before you start talking about his defence. Mallett made a comment during the Australian series to the effect that Italy has never really being used to having a flyhalf who can tackle..
June 29th 2009 @ 11:50am
Hammer said | June 29th 2009 @ 11:50am | Report comment
So Nick you reckon you know that I’ve “never watched a second of NH rugby” … amazing you can make a call like that without knowing someone – but apparently I can’t comment on something I apparantly don’t know … fuzzy logic there
Sam – I have to disagree his form over the last 3 – 4 weeks does reflect on the quality of football he’s been playing – he’s been selected on his previous form with the AB’s by Henry & Co due to the lack of any viable altenative currently available once Donald was injured … and it’s evident he’s not a patch on what / where he was when he left after the W/Cup – he’s not progressed whatsoever and in fact he looks like he’s regressed and based on his appearances so far for the AB’s he’d never have got near the squad if he’d been playing like that in the S14 …
Is he and out and 10 – no … but prior to leaving he was more than capable of filling that role when asked at provincal, S14 and Test level … so something’s happened to him since he left and that is a reflection of the quality of competition he’s been playing …
and hard to assess gower – other than say he can kick the ball …