The All Blacks got their 2003 Rugby World Cup campaign off to a good start with a 70-7 Pool D win over Italy in Melbourne, but their victory was marred by an injury to centre and vice-captain Tana Umaga.
Umaga limped off the in the 24th minute after taking a knock to his knee, and although his replacement, Ma'a Nonu, impressed in his absence, the dreadlocked Hurricanes skipper is crucial to New Zealand's cause -- his experience no doubt a major influence in their midfield.
First five-eighth Carlos Spencer also limped around at one stage, with what looked like an ankle injury, but he shook it off and completed the game, while another injury worry for New Zealand would have been left-wing Joe Rokocoko, who pulled up lame after scoring his second try in the 69th minute.
Rokocoko was replaced by Leon MacDonald and although he seemed comfortable enough, coach John Mitchell cannot afford to risk his key men before the play-offs start.
At the end of the day, however, the Kiwis outscored the Azzurri by 11 tries to one and although they made a few handling errors and battled with execution at times, Mitchell would generally have been pleased by his side's showing, most notably by Nonu and Carter, both of whom are merely "fill-in" players at this stage.
Nonu set up a few tries with his strong running and trademark spinning in and out of tackles, while Carter's distribution was smooth and he made some nice darts from second five-eighth.
The All Black forwards did not quite run all over their opponents, with the Azzurri holding their own in the set-pieces, especially in the first half as New Zealand went into the shed at 25-0 up, courtesy of four first-half tries.
Lock Brad Thorn, a former Rugby League star, opened his side's tally in the 12th minute, followed soon by his skipper Reuben Thorne, Howlett and Spencer, who benefited from a good Rokocoko dash down the left flank.
Howlett began the second half with a simple run-in after just three minutes, but Italy managed to ruffle a few feathers with a try of their own on the 50-minute mark. No.8 Matt Phillips, who ironically was born in NZ, forced his way over the tryline after a good build-up, with fly-half Francesco Mazzariol leading the charge.
The ABs, however, hit back with a Rokocoko try, his first at the RWC, to go 37-7 ahead, before Spencer, Justin Marshall, Carter and Rokocoko, again, got over for five-pointers.
Rokocoko's replacement, Canterbury star Leon MacDonald, wrapped things up with his team's 11th try on full-time, mainly thanks to some strong running from Nonu, who featured in the build-up to three of the previous four tries.
Man of the match: While the injury to Tana Umaga will be of great concern to All Black coach John Mitchell, the form of his replacement and lookalike, Ma'a Nonu, would have pleased the Kiwi mentor. Nonu ran strongly, creating a lot for his outside men, although some 50-50 passes did not go to hand. Daniel Carter was another to catch the eye from the No.12 position, especially his last few kicks at goal, while little Italian No.10 Francesco Mazzariol did his reputation no harm with a polished display.
Moment of the Match: It can only be Howlett's first try, which began after a wonderful counter-attack from Daniel Carter deep in his own territory. Joe Rokocoko fielded the ball in his 22, beat two defenders before passing to Carter, who burst away and then freed Howlett -- he of the bushy mop of hair.
Villain of the Match: Nothing serious to report from this match, but the All Blacks' goal-kicking must be another major concern for Mitchell. Spencer looked to be battling with an ankle problem before handing over to Carter, but it remains to be seen if he can blame his dodgy ankle for his three misses. Carter started well, then missed a few, before hitting four in succession.
The Teams:
New Zealand: 1 David Hewett, 2 Keven Mealamu, 3 Greg Somerville, 4 Chris Jack, 5 Brad Thorn, 6 Richie McCaw, 7 Reuben Thorne (c), 8 Jerry Collins, 9 Justin Marshall, 10 Carlos Spencer, 11 Doug Howlett, 12 Daniel Carter, 13 Tana Umaga, 14 Joe Rokocoko, 15 Mils Muliaina
Reserves: Marty Holah, Leon MacDonald, Rodney So'oialo, Mark Hammett, Kees Meeuws, Ma'a Nonu
Unused: Steve Devine
Italy: 1 Ramiro Martinez-Frugoni, 2 Carlo Festuccia, 3 Salvatore Perugini, 4 Cristian Bezzi, 5 Carlo Checchinato (c), 6 Scott Palmer, 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 8 Matthew Phillips, 9 Matteo Mazzantini, 10 Francesco Mazzariol, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 12 Matteo Barbini, 13 Andrea Masi, 14 Nicola Mazzucato, 15 Gert Peens
Reserves: Andrea Benatti, Gonzalo Canale, Leandro Castrogiovanni, Fabio Ongaro, Sergio Parisse, Alessandro Troncon
Unused: Rima Wakarua-Noema
Attendance: 40715
Referee: Cole a.
Points Scorers:
New Zealand
Tries: Howlett D.C. 2, Carter D.W. 1, Rokocoko J. 2, Spencer C.J. 2, Marshall J.W. 1, Thorn B.C. 1, Thorne R.D. 1, MacDonald L.R. 1
Conv: Carter D.W. 6
Pen K.: Spencer C.J. 1
Italy
Tries: Phillips M. 1
Conv: Peens G. 1
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