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The world’s media hailed the “total carnage” displayed in New Zealand’s crushing win over Italy, but a former Ireland star has spotted a ray of light as his team appears destined for a quarterfinal showdown with the All Blacks.
Italy had been considered a potential threat to the All Blacks after New Zealand fell flat in their World Cup opener against France.
But Ian Foster’s men blew the European team off the Parc Olympique Lyonnaise with a display of stunning attacking rugby.
“There had been pre-match speculation that Italy might prove more than just a speed bump to All Black ambitions. So much for that cosy theory,” wrote Robert Kitson in the Guardian.
“By the end a brilliant New Zealand had accelerated so far out of sight they almost clocked three figures, a first-half hat-trick from the wonderfully sharp Aaron Smith just one of the highlights of a chastening night for the Azzurri.
“It also provided a reminder, as if it were needed, that New Zealand cannot be discounted when the knockout stages of this tournament finally come around. The setbacks of the past month have clearly focused minds and a week’s rest has recharged them physically. The upshot was one of those nights when the All Blacks make rugby look so gloriously simple that the opposition barely know where to put themselves.
“Ultimately it was total carnage, starting from the moment Jordie Barrett’s inch-perfect connection with [Will] Jordan allowed the prolific winger to finish acrobatically in the right corner.”
Chris Foy, writing in the Daily Mail, hailed a “night of All Black magic”.
“This result will send shockwaves around the tournament. Italy were put to the sword as if they were hapless part-timers. They were utterly humiliated; conceding 14 tries and only just keeping the score against them to double-figures,” Foy wrote.
“To think that there was pre-match speculation about the possibility of an upset. It didn’t take long for that outlandish theory to be buried under an avalanche of points and the ominous rumble of so much one-way traffic. Smith ran amok. Jordie Barrett was magnificent in midfield.
“Ireland will have watched the drama from their base in Tours and been left to ponder the daunting task they are likely to face in a quarter-final against Friday night’s rampant victors.
“On the evidence of this glaring mismatch, Andy Farrell’s side – ranked No 1 in the world – will have to climb a higher peak than the one they scaled to beat South Africa, if they are to reach the last eight.
Will Jordan of New Zealand scores his team’s first try during the Rugby World Cup France 2023 match between New Zealand and Italy at Parc Olympique on September 29, 2023 in Lyon, France. (Photo by Chris Hyde/Getty Images)
“The aura might have slipped, but the super skills haven’t. That much was evident early on Friday night, as the screw was turned on the stunned Italians. Kieran Crowley’s side fell apart, but they were trying in vain to keep a lid on multi-dimensional brilliance.”
Gavin Mairs, in the UK Telegraph, also wondered “what Ireland head coach Andy Farrell made of the 14-try rout. Much of the narrative following his side’s victory over defending champions South Africa has been on a potential quarter-final encounter with New Zealand.
“The All Blacks have reinstated their World Cup credentials with this stunning mismatch against a Six Nations side,” he wrote.
Alex Lowe, in The Times, suggested that “never before had New Zealand faced this kind of jeopardy: a World Cup pool match against a Six Nations opponent knowing that defeat would send them home. That opening night loss to France had unlocked the trapdoor and lying in wait to trip them up were the spirited and improving Italy.
“It gave the build-up to this game a compelling narrative but it was always fantasy stuff. The All Blacks ripped Italy apart in devastating, merciless fashion in Lyon, scoring seven tries in the first half and seven more in the second, sparked by a spectacular finish from Will Jordan and featuring a hat-trick from Aaron Smith.
“It was a clinical and unrelenting onslaught, weaved by Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett, driven by Ardie Savea and founded on a lineout that purred like a well-oiled machine, delivering try after try for the All Blacks.”
The New Zealand Herald’s Liam Napier called the win “a statement and a spectacle.”
“With one foot on Italy’s throat and another in the World Cup quarterfinals, the All Blacks reminded everyone they remain a ruthless beast in full flight,” he wrote.
“Three weeks after their opening World Cup defeat, the All Blacks moved from under the radar to a beaming beacon with a statement of intent that suggested a sleeping giant is dormant no more.
“Context is always important. Italy are no Ireland, South Africa or France. Sure, Kieran Crowley’s Azzurri have significantly improved in the past two years but history tells us they should not be considered in the All Blacks’ league.”
Also in the NZ Herald, Gregor Paul wrote the All Blacks “will have settled a few nerves back in New Zealand and set plenty jangling around the world after delivering a performance that said the bear is sick of being poked and is now very much awake and angry.
“This idea of the All Blacks sitting behind the three favoured contenders of Ireland, France and South Africa will have to be revised as there are little pieces of what was once known as the Italian rugby team scattered all over Lyon to suggest that’s not true at all.
“New Zealand are at the top table of the world game. They are in France as a genuine contender and they produced 80 minutes of destructive, accurate, controlled and quite brilliant rugby to prove it.”
While most pundits took the scoreline and margin of victory on face value, Ireland’s 95-Test veteran Rob Kearney saw some glimmer of encouragement for wichever team faces the All Blacks herein.
“I think if there’s one weakness to this New Zealand team it’s their defence,” Kearney said on Virgin Media Sport.
“They’re very passive, they give the opposition a lot of time and space on the ball that the Irish attackers will love.
“They are not nearly as aggressive as South Africa or France.
“We saw Italy going around them three or four times tonight, they did it quite early on, in the first five minutes, they just didn’t have the skill set to be able to do anything with that space that they manipulated up the edge.
“But certainly, defensively for this All Blacks team, I think Ireland, should we get there in the quarterfinal, will be able to exploit quite a bit of space on the edges.”
Italy star Ange Capuozzo was in awe of the AB’s attack.
“I heard a lot of things during the week about New Zealand being beatable and that they weren’t at their best,” Capuozzo said.
“I’d like to invite anyone who’s been analysing this team to come and play against them. They’re a settled, serious team with a lot going for them.
“They took us seriously, and that’s a form of respect on their part. They played a precise and clinical game. We can’t be ashamed of our performance. We came up against a great team.”
All Blacks great Aaron Smith, who nailed a first half hat-trick, said there was room for improvement.
“I think as a player you’re just thinking about winning, trying to get a win,” Smith told reporters.
Aaron Smith was exceptional again. (Photo by Getty Images).
“I guess it’s a statement but as a player, you’re still looking at things we could have done a lot better. I’m just thinking of that 10 minutes after half-time that we let them squeeze us a bit and our discipline slipped and our energy was a bit low.
“We were able to get the momentum back but I’m an old boy and a bit grumpy with things like that.
“There was a huge opportunity there to probably send a bigger statement and we still sent one but it could’ve been bigger.”
Coach Ian Foster, who is unwanted by the All Blacks after the tournament, was happy to put down a marker.
“We came here expecting to play well with a good build-up to it,” Foster said. “We knew the importance of the game and that this is what World Cups are about. We delivered, so I am pleased with that.
“It’s about building momentum at this World Cup.
“It felt a bit strange having that gap after the Namibia game,” he said. “I did not see this (scoreline against Italy) coming, I am not sure too many did.
“But we took their hope away in that first 20 minutes and maybe they started to think about another big game they have next week against France.
“If you win by a big scoreline, people think there is no value in it. But it is massive for us because we put ourselves under pressure to produce that performance.”
As for the next stage Foster added: “I have got no preference who we play.
“I don’t spend time thinking about what might happen in two or three weeks.
“People create a lot of panic about your chances and all that sort of stuff, particularly after we lost the first one (against France). But this was always going to be the critical game in this pool.
“We have put ourselves in control of our own destiny and that is what we wanted.”
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.