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LYON – It was four years ago that the All Blacks’ Pool C fixture against Italy in Japan was canned because of a typhoon. Four years later and it was Italy that got hit by an All Blacks hurricane.
Fast and ferocious, or “crisp and clinical”, as Rassie Erasmus Tweeted, the All Blacks almost racked up a half-century, as the three-time world champions turned a 49-3 lead into a statement delivering 96-17 victory in Lyon to all but seal their place in the quarter-finals. The victory came 24 years after New Zealand’s 101-3 victory over Italy in Huddersfield.
No wonder Matthew Carley and his fellow officials, as well as the Italians, took an age to return after half-time.
If there was a mercy rule, Carley may well have blown his whistle to call it over at half-time after a hat-trick to halfback Aaron Smith and brace of tries to his No.8 Ardie Savea sent the All Blacks on their way.
Will Jordan finished spectacularly to score the All Blacks’ first try against Italy at Parc Olympique on September 29, 2023 in Lyon. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
It’s a good thing he didn’t because, even if Italy’s moment of joy to come was short-lived, the sight of seeing international rugby’s wonder kid Ange Capuozzo finish spectacularly in the minutes after half-time was something to behold.
Of course, after that, it was once again one-way traffic as Scott Barrett’s charge down moments later led to an immediate hit back from his second-row partner Brodie Retallick scoring out wide.
While many had hoped Italy would challenge the southern hemisphere giants, they were the latest international side to be on the end of an All Blacks first-half blitz.
As Argentina and South Africa experienced in early July, no side can keep up with the All Blacks when they’re in the type of mood they were on Friday evening.
The All Blacks scored three tries inside the opening 20 minutes and five after 35 minutes to blow Italy away.
The accuracy of Codie Taylor’s throw, the force of Nepo Laulala, brute muscle of Shannon Frizell and power of Savea was the difference between the two sides and allowed the All Blacks’ decision makers to pull the strings.
Jordie Barrett, who missed the All Blacks’ opening World Cup defeat to France in Paris with a knee-injury, was instrumental to their blistering pace and start.
Aaron Smith scored a first-half hat-trick against Italy in lyon. (Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images)
After a free-flowing start where the opening passage of play lasted more than two minutes, the inside centre, whose family have a farm next to New Zealand-born Italy coach Kieran Crowley, delivered an inch-perfect cross-field kick from centre field to help send Will Jordan into score after six minutes.
Tommaso Allan narrowed the margin after a long-range penalty in the 10th minute, but it was the only piece of joy for Italy who simply couldn’t match the physicality of the All Blacks.
After some rugby smarts from Smith, the foxy halfback had his first try after he jumped on the back of his side’s rolling maul after 17 minutes.
Two tries quickly became three as Savea burst through from the kick restart and seconds later Mark Telea dived over. With Richie Mo’unga bringing his kicking boots, the All Blacks led 21-3.
The Italians were shellshocked and in disarray three minutes later as the All Blacks kicked for the corner and Savea ran straight through first phase from the lineout to score.
The first-half woes continued to mount up for Italy, as they were pinged for a not straight lineout.
A scrum penalty allowed Barrett’s cannon of a boot to find touch inside the 22 metre line and it wasn’t long before Smith had his second, as he jumped into first-receiver from a maul and scored.
Smith had his hat-trick after 34 minutes when he collected a lovely inside ball from Jordie Barrett, who had been put through a hold from a sublime delayed ball from Mo’unga.
Italy’s first half misery continued when Sevea broke away from a maul in stoppage time and scored.
While Italy scored the first and last points of the second half through Capuozzo and Monty Ioane, the All Blacks scored another seven tries in between to seal an emphatic 79-point victory.
In total there were nine different try-scorers for the All Blacks, with Dalton Papali’i, Dane Coles (2), Damian McKenzie and Anton Lienert-Brown also scoring five-pointers. Will Jordan also completed a double.
The win meant it was a night to remember for lock Sam Whitelock, who overtook Richie McCaw to become the All Blacks’ most-capped player by taking the field in the second half for his 149th Test.
Brodie Retallick packed down alongside Sam Whitelock in the veteran lock’s record breaking match for the All Blacks at Parc Olympique on September 29, 2023 in Lyon. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
Perhaps now Ian Foster will take the moment to celebrate his brilliant second-rower, having tipped his hat to the veteran forward on Friday but said winning the match took priority.
“We will do all our celebration of that achievement after this game. Right now what the team needs to achieve is bigger than the individual,” said Foster, whose side all but qualified for the quarter-finals ahead of next week’s final Pool A clash against Uruguay.
While the All Blacks will appreciate the moment for what it is, they will recognise sterner tests lay ahead.
Indeed, unless Ireland stumble against Scotland in a week’s time in Paris and France slip over against Italy in Lyon, they will meet Andy Farrell’s men at the Stade de France in a blockbuster quarter-final.
Foster’s poignant message ahead of their clash against Italy will also be an important reminder going ahead.
“History means nothing,” Foster said on Friday. “History is yesterday’s newspaper, isn’t it, not tomorrow’s.”
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.