Saturday 13 November 2004

Italy 10 New Zealand 59

An experimental All Blacks side scored nine tries to beat Italy in Rome.

The visitors raced ahead with debutant Conrad Smith, fly-half Daniel Carter and Mils Muliaina all scoring tries in the first eight minutes.

Italy limited the damage to 35-3 by half-time but prop Saimone Taumoepeau ― another All Black new boy ― went over at the restart to renew the onslaught.

Muliaina, Tama Umaga and Richie McCaw all scored twice while Mauro Bergamasco grabbed a late Italian consolation try.

Italy coach John Kirwan was left cursing his team's woeful start.

"It was devastating.  There were too many turnovers and we showed our opponents too much respect," said Kirwan, an All Black legend.

"We just stood back and watched what was happening and you can't do that against a team like the All Blacks."

Meanwhile, New Zealand coach Graham Henry said he would definitely be shuffling his pack for next week's match against Wales in Cardiff.

"We wanted to see how the team performed today.  There will be changes, but not wholesale ones," said Henry.


Points Scorers:

Italy:  (3) 10
Try:  Bergamasco
Con:  Wakarua
Pen:  Wakarua

NZ:  (35) 59
Tries:  Smith, Carter, Muliaina (2), Umaga (2), Taumoepeau, McCaw (2)
Cons:  Carter (7)

The teams:

Italy:  Kaine Robertson, Ludovico Nitoglia, Matteo Barbini, Matteo Pratichetti, Walter Pozzebon, Rima Wakarua, Paul Griffen, Andrea Lo Cicero, Fabio Ongaro, Salvatore Perugini, Marco Bortolami, Santiago Dellape, Aaron Persico, Mauro Bergamasco, David Dal Maso.
Replacements:  Giorgio Intoppa, Salvatore Costanzo, Enrico Pavanello, Silvio Orlando, Pietro Travagli, Luciano Orquera.

New Zealand:  Mils Muliaina, Rico Gear, Conrad Smith, Tana Umaga (capt), Joe Rokocoko, Daniel Carter, Byron Kelleher, Saimone Taumoepeau, Anton Oliver, Carl Hayman, Chris Jack, Norm Maxwell, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw, Mose Tuiali'i.
Replacements:  Corey Flynn/Keven Mealamu, Greg Somerville, Ali Williams, Steven Bates, Jimmy Cowan, Luke McAlister/Aaron Mauger, Ma'a Nonu.

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