All Blacks down defiant Italy
14 Nov 2009
Luke McAlister kicked five penalties as New Zealand held on for a 20-6 victory over Italy in Milan.
In what was hardly a vintage All Blacks performance the visitors were forced to work very hard for victory over a gutsy Italian side that were outstanding on defence and at scrum time.
The pride with which the Italian players and fans alike sang their anthem, Il Canto degli Italiani, would have given the Kiwis an early indication that the Azzurri were up for a fight.
Predictably, the All Blacks looked the more threatening of the two teams with ball in hand, but at scrum time it was a different story as a formidable Italian pack piled pressure on the inexperienced All Blacks front row.
Martin Castrogiovanni, who destroyed the midweek Springboks’ front row for his club Leicester last week, once again showcased his incredible scrummaging prowess by forcing Wyatt Crockett to drop his bind in the first scrum of the game and Craig Gower nailed the resulting penalty to give the hosts the lead after just five minutes.
The Italians were playing with a great deal of passion and commitment, but their enthusiasm was getting the better of them and persistent infringements at the breakdown gave McAlister plenty of opportunities to kick his team into the lead, which he gladly accepted.
New Zealand showed a real willingness to spread it wide whenever the opportunity presented itself despite, the lack of width offered by the San Siro pitch.
The Italians’ defence was exemplary in the opening stages of the game but it was only a matter of time before the All Blacks were able to break them down, and in the end it was hooker Corey Flynn who went over in the corner after some patient build up play. McAlister missed the conversion but slotted yet another penalty to give his team a 14-3 half-time lead.
With just a couple of minutes gone in the second stanza, Nick Mallett’s men were dealt a blow when Gonzalo Garcia was sent to the bin for a dangerous challenge. However, while the resultant penalty was successful, the All Blacks failed to take advantage of their extra man as Italy stood firm even with a numerical disadvantage.
But while the Italians were doing a good a job at keeping the score line respectable, they offered little on attack and the result was never in doubt for the Kiwis.
In the final quarter of the game the All Blacks turned to the bench, bringing on the likes of John Afoa, Jimmy Cowan and Stephen Donald as they looked to finally open up the stubborn defence, but the changes failed to have the desired affect.
McAlister nailed his fifth penalty of the game with less than 10 minutes to play and from the restart the Italians put together their longest period of sustained pressure on the All Blacks defence.
But the Azzurri’s deficiencies on attack ultimately meant they were unable to find an opening and the All Blacks hung on for victory.
By Andrew Worling
93 Comments
14 Nov 2009, 15:09 pm
South Africans will rejoice that this very evening, the NZ Socer team defeated Bahrain 1 to 0. To qualify for the Soccer WC in SA.
Dragons we are not.
14 Nov 2009, 15:11 pm
this game is a no brainer might be fun to watch though
14 Nov 2009, 15:21 pm
#2 klippies101:
I think Italy are in with a real show.
The NZ Team are seriously lacking any “combinations”.
14 Nov 2009, 15:29 pm
#1 cane:
Fantastic stuff, with only a couple of dozen professional players and no real funding for the game in NZ a great result.
14 Nov 2009, 15:30 pm
#3 cane:
Being half-Italian I hope so. I mean no doubt Italy are on the up but you can’t seriously think they have a chance? But I am keen to see how they do as I don’t expect an all-out raping like last time
14 Nov 2009, 15:41 pm
well make em an offer they cant refuse
14 Nov 2009, 15:52 pm
Congrats to the All Whites on qualifying for the World Cup. Great game, great crowd
14 Nov 2009, 15:58 pm
justin.tv/paleles20
14 Nov 2009, 16:03 pm
does not work Aidoc
14 Nov 2009, 16:18 pm
I saw a bit then they shut me down, saying too many in China watching, and then asked for money.
The radiosport nz commentary is not good. Like listening to radio fifty years ago.
14 Nov 2009, 16:19 pm
I down loaded the French match have seen the first half. Good print.
14 Nov 2009, 16:24 pm
At this moment NZ is on the top of the IRB rankings but must win to stay there.
It is on BBC 1 so you can use the videolan player (VLC) to watch. Just download British TV.exe It won’t work here because the BBC is not popular with the firewall controllers, as they show too many inconvenient stories.
14 Nov 2009, 16:26 pm
I have lost all sound now. Trying the ARC but I think it is not working either. No good last week.
14 Nov 2009, 16:35 pm
TRYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY!
14 Nov 2009, 16:39 pm
What a fine rugby player Andy Ellis is
14 Nov 2009, 16:45 pm
#15 kaksioek:
Best in Europe today but for Oz and Scotland.
14 Nov 2009, 16:51 pm
All Blacks are getting monstered in the scrums, in spite of what the Kiwi commentators are saying.
14 Nov 2009, 16:52 pm
Halftime. Think England versus Pumas might be a bit more entertaining …
14 Nov 2009, 16:55 pm
#17 kaksioek:
Your scrums in big trouble then when you play the Italians after the French and the club side thumped you.
14 Nov 2009, 17:01 pm
#17 kaksioek:
what ****. Azzurri have had the push on in a couple of scrums, but ABs had the shove in the last scrums of the half. Id say it was even there, Castro that magnificent beast of a man is giving Davey Crockett a tough time tho. Tialumpa has improved immeasurably his last 3 Tests. Getting about the park too.
Delaney looks handy but AB backs arent in any rhythm yet but Dickenson is allowing ridiculous offsides on both sides, no space anywhere.
Will someone please REPLACE ELLIS immediately. He keeps getting caught with the ball and still hasnt eradicated that 1.5 steps before he passes. Hopeless.
That Aussie leaguie at 10 for Azzurri, Gower, makes Ellis look classy….
Italia forwards are a match for any team now, Castro & Parrise magnificant. If only they had decent backs and the refs enforced a clear offside line.
and someone PLEASE rid our glorious game of rugby, the Game they play in Heaven….someone….anyone…..pleeeeeeease stop this kick-tennis masquerade.
14 Nov 2009, 17:11 pm
#20 WakaNathan: Just got smashed again. Two in a row. Were you watching?
14 Nov 2009, 17:11 pm
Ummmm we are getting monstered in the scrums
14 Nov 2009, 17:13 pm
#21 kaksioek: In the second one, they went straight through the Kiwi scrum and out the other side.
14 Nov 2009, 17:18 pm
#19 NZINCHINA: I agree, the Italians will fancy their chances. We shall see.
14 Nov 2009, 17:23 pm
This from Planet Rugby’s live commentary on 47 minutes: “Again Italy murder NZ in the scrum…Sergio Parisse breaks away and gets oh so close!”
14 Nov 2009, 17:25 pm
Black scrum penalised in 59th minute – three points.
14 Nov 2009, 17:25 pm
What a shame – Ellis is off. Tony says he had a good game!
14 Nov 2009, 17:26 pm
#25 kaksioek:
Yep but we all know scrums is only part of the game of rugby
14 Nov 2009, 17:26 pm
Afoa also on.
14 Nov 2009, 17:28 pm
#27 kaksioek:
Hes had a good game cos he shouldnt be their. Our best half is in Wellington,better passer and kicker and is alot stronger
14 Nov 2009, 17:31 pm
#30 Hurricane:
But not a team man?? Tension with the coaches?
14 Nov 2009, 17:36 pm
#31 AiDoc:
All about the coaches.
He got in trouble for going out one night on tour and really never given a chance since
14 Nov 2009, 17:37 pm
#30 Hurricane: You prefer Big Bum to Cowan?
14 Nov 2009, 17:42 pm
#33 kaksioek:
Yep.
Cowan can be to much of a hot head and can give away a few penalties and plus i come from Wainuiomata where Piri is from so there we go
14 Nov 2009, 17:47 pm
Tialata yellow card for repeatedly collapsing the scrum.
14 Nov 2009, 17:48 pm
Time for a penalty try, surely?
14 Nov 2009, 17:49 pm
Where’s Whacky Nuts?
14 Nov 2009, 17:50 pm
Dickheadson is a dork!
14 Nov 2009, 17:50 pm
These Italians are stupid,yeah winning the scrums and get the penalty and then sit and wait for the next scrum,no quick taps,nothing.They are losing the game,look at the scoreboard
14 Nov 2009, 17:52 pm
#39 Hurricane: They know they can’t win a rugby match, but they’re enjoying winning the scrums
14 Nov 2009, 17:53 pm
The Kiwi commentator is barracking for an Italian try. Wants to hear 86,000 go nuts.
14 Nov 2009, 17:55 pm
#40 kaksioek:
yep it was an impressive display of scrummaging from the Italians.Our guys just looked a little fatigued.
14 Nov 2009, 17:56 pm
Good win by the B side, are we now confirmed as back to no 1 in the rankings?
14 Nov 2009, 17:57 pm
#43 NZINCHINA:
I think so,where we belong
14 Nov 2009, 17:59 pm
No 1 before the game started. No points for beating Italy though.
14 Nov 2009, 18:00 pm
#44 Hurricane:
Perfect, good night go the All Whites.
14 Nov 2009, 18:02 pm
Now if only the OPST’s (Opium pushing slave traders) can beat the Kangaroos.
14 Nov 2009, 18:03 pm
Scrappy ugly game, put it out of its misery.
Nonetheless, solid turnout from the ABB’s. Good showing from a couple of fringers, Messam & Latimer are excellent on D, Boric is more physical, Corey Flynn appears to be the answer at 2 if Hores form drops again.
When was the last time the AB line was crossed in the NH ???
GREAT W/E for NZ Sport ! The mighty All Whites are on their way to the World Cup in Sth Africa and the ABBs suggesting there is still some grit in the Black trenches.
Kia Kahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa !
14 Nov 2009, 18:06 pm
Fair dues Kaks, the Azzurri scrum was a thing of beauty tonight. That Castro is a gem, him and Hayman the ultimate destructive THs. Well played those men. Still came 2nd tho.
14 Nov 2009, 18:15 pm
#45 AiDoc:
Rightly no1 too……? Not sure about that but Im more comfortable if we now put SA & NZ & Fr in a 3-way tie for Top, with a fringing Aus/Ire/Arg looking enviously over the neighbours fence.
After the Boks got owned in Toulouse, it just shows 1 or 2 slight alterations to the team and suddenly the following pack are brought back to the leading group again. Without Frans, that whole 45-65m zone can be infringed easier and as he showed in a slim win in Hamilton, it was those 9pts that won the game for the Boks. And the dsitribution and organisation of JdV is apparent. Interesting times, theyre not going to win all the time just getting Morne to kick everything, too inflexible playing away.
So huge games for Boks vs Paddys and ABs vs Fr in Marseille, with the large speedbump in betw when ABs meet Engl at HQ, always a tough fixture no matter previous form. Lots more games left to see who ends the season as King of the Mountain.
14 Nov 2009, 18:25 pm
#50 WakaNathan: Big Canoe. Well spoken.
I think the AB France game will be a cracker, and I have to say that I would take France to win. Other than kicking I saw few glaring weaknesses in any position.
On the other game, I think Ireland will beat us too.
And yes I was unpatriotic and predicted we would lose last night.
The B&IL showed how to beat us. Job one is pick very big, very fast, very straight runners in all positions. Job 2 is match us blow for blow. Job 3 is win the collisions.
We are extremely poor at protecting the pill, and as the intensity increases we see more and more lost turnovers.
Our scrum is rubbish, and all rationale against that position is pure obfuscation.
14 Nov 2009, 18:27 pm
Oh yes. Congratulations Kiwis for qualifying for soccer WC. And beating Italy.
14 Nov 2009, 18:28 pm
Lucky win for the Kiwi’s
14 Nov 2009, 18:30 pm
Wish we could play this French side next year at their home for 3 tests. Or Ireland. I miss the old tours. Fixtures have become too predictable
14 Nov 2009, 18:33 pm
Ordinary win from the dirt trackers but credit due to Azzuri who played their typical forward dominated game. Dickenson’s ruling of offside was pathetic and both sides ended up camped in the other’s backline. Were he to police that more effectively the score would have blown out for the trackers to be sure – they showed far more enterprise than Italy.
Highlight of the night has to be the All Whites fantastic to be in SA next year god bless old Charlie Dempsey eh isn’t that fantastic he abstained in the 2006 vote else the kiwis would be going somewhere else rather than beautiful South Africa.
14 Nov 2009, 18:42 pm
#52 SodaJoe:
At least we won’t be the worst team now.
14 Nov 2009, 18:42 pm
Any news on Springbok injuries? I’m worried about this Marco scrumming guru!
14 Nov 2009, 18:44 pm
The last 8 minutes of this test match were an absolute joke and was a terrible terrible advertisement for rugby as a whole. Please can someone explain to me how 10% of a rugby game yes 10% (8min) can be played re-setting 1 scrum!
Something needs to be done about the scrums end of story!
The ref has got to grow some b*lls too and make a decision, pathetic weekend of rugby. Lets hope the Aus/Ireland game tomorrow its a better specticle
14 Nov 2009, 18:52 pm
Well this has confirmed my statement that AB rugby is in decline. I doubt wether they will get it right prior to 2011 !!
An AB 2nd side a few years ago would never have struggled against an Italian side. (well done Mallet for making the spaghetti boys competitve)
The AB’s scrum was as embarasing if not worse than the Boks, their backs a fumbling mess. They have no classy scrum half in their squad and no back up to Carter.
If not for Dickinson , the game would have been a lot closer, if I were New Zealander I would be very , very concerned, almost as concerned as I am as a SAffa. !!
14 Nov 2009, 18:53 pm
The last 8 minutes of this test match were an absolute joke and was a terrible terrible advertisement for rugby as a whole. Please can someone explain to me how 10% of a rugby game yes 10% (8min) can be played re-setting 1 scrum!
Something needs to be done about the scrums end of story!
The ref was so so weak, pathetic weekend of rugby. Lets hope the Aus/Ireland game tomorrow its a better specticle
14 Nov 2009, 18:53 pm
#56 Die_Valk: Boet I would not be overconfident. I have watched Bafana Bafana. I suspect the French rugby team might beat them at soccer.
14 Nov 2009, 18:56 pm
#58 justrugby: Bud just my observation, but perhaps SH rugby peaked in 2007 and we see a changing of the guard? Certainly France look excellent. Let’s see what happens with Ireland.
NZ conditions will be closer to NH than SA.
14 Nov 2009, 19:02 pm
#60 SodaJoe:
Yip, we must box clever when picking that WC squad, get it wrong and we on a plane early !!!
S14, 3N’s , CC just too much, I’d like to see the S14 and 3n’s dissapear in WC year!!
14 Nov 2009, 19:16 pm
Rugby has changed…
The IRB should take note of this week / months matches & see what they can do. Every game I have seen has been a dour arm wrestle with the aim just to smash people to pieces! Whatever happened to running rugby, skill & flair?
Teams like Italy & Argentina are becoming more competitive due to their players playing in professional leagues, but there is no sign of them becoming good teams who can win games against teams who can play proper rugby – able to score tries.
It is great for a side like Italy to be overjoyed at dominating the scrum, they are happy to win a battle, but lose the war, that is not doing the game any good.
14 Nov 2009, 21:18 pm
#62 The Bill:
At the moment they just trying to keep the score as low as possible. Remember the high fives in the Italian box when they lost against NZ earlier this year? In a couple of years time they’ll start to believe that they can actually beat the likes of SA, AB’s, Aus, Eng and France. Then it’s all on.
Good for rugby in general it will be.
14 Nov 2009, 21:30 pm
Well, the AB second team might have “won ugly” but they won. Against a test team. And they’re unbeaten on their EOYT. They might be taking some of those famous positives away from this game. Positives taken from an actual win are twice as potent as the near-placebo positives taken from a defeat.
14 Nov 2009, 21:39 pm
What’s up with this advertising ****?
14 Nov 2009, 21:41 pm
#64 TheTackler:
You’re right.
14 Nov 2009, 22:01 pm
For the moment rugby union takes a back seat in NZ. The BIG news is that yesterday the New Zealand All Whites qualified for the Football World Cup.
So currently:
- NZ All Blacks #2 ranked rugby union side.
- NZ Kiwis current Rugby League World Champions
- NZ All Whites have qualified for Football (soccer) world cup.
Can any other nation match this prowess in the football codes?
14 Nov 2009, 22:09 pm
I revise my above post. The All Blacks have now overtaken the Springboks in the IRB rankings to claim top spot.
So currently:
- NZ All Blacks #1 ranked rugby union side.
- NZ Kiwis current Rugby League World Champions
- NZ All Whites have qualified for Football (soccer) world cup.
Can any other nation match this prowess in the football codes?
14 Nov 2009, 22:18 pm
#67 Delek:
Currently:
Boks #1 ranked rugby union side in the world;
Boks current rugby union world champions;
Bafana Bafana play in FIFA Soccer World Cup as host team.
(smilie)
14 Nov 2009, 22:21 pm
Hey Nama ABs are now #1 in the rankings.
14 Nov 2009, 22:21 pm
#68 Delek:
Well,lets see:
SA is the current rugby world champions
SA is the current IRB sevens world series champions
SA (Bulls) is the current super 14 champions
SA is hosting the soccer wc next year and the last time they played NZ (confederations cup, 2 months ago) they won easily 2-0
Yeah, I think SA more than just match NZ in the football codes.
14 Nov 2009, 22:22 pm
#69 nama1:
Sorry, I sort of duplicate you but it is the idea that counts
14 Nov 2009, 22:29 pm
#70 Delek:
Yeah, I forgot that they’ll reclaim their position after winning Italy tonight.
Not to worry about the duplication. As you say, it’s the idea that counts.
The ranking thing? What’s going to happen if SA win their next two matches and the AB’s, say lose one.
14 Nov 2009, 22:37 pm
#73 nama1:
Second part of that comment was aimed at Robzim.(72)
14 Nov 2009, 22:50 pm
#56 Die_Valk:
on what basis could you possibly know……which teams did your team have to beat to get there ?
14 Nov 2009, 22:52 pm
#58 justrugby:
Pleased you enjoyed the win.
Victory becomes a habit. So can losing.
15 Nov 2009, 01:52 am
What the hell is Stu Dickinsons problem? What an ANZAC cheat. How can he give a scrum to the All Blacks when the Italians were going forward? How can he say “Use it” when the rolling maul was going forward? How can he blow (his whistle) for obstruction when only for a split second the All Blacks were off the rolling maul? How many times did he allow the All Blacks to dive over and come in from the side of the ruck? I watched the Arg v Eng game at the same time and you’d think the rules were different at ruck time.
Why was it not a penalty try at the end? How many penalties were there right on the AB try line, 20 in 5 minutes?
Stu Dickinson, you are a disease to the game of rugby, the sooner you retire or vanish the better.
15 Nov 2009, 03:30 am
Firstly, well done to the all whites. Not sure the SA govt will let them in with that name though. Nice to think all trinations sides playing in the soccer world cup as well.
No surprises either that the SH teams are struggling on these tours. For these guys it’s the tenth month of top level rugby. It is only going to get worse with a longer super comp.
15 Nov 2009, 04:10 am
Martin Castrogiovanni again show his power. totally destroying this patheticc excuse of an AB front row.
15 Nov 2009, 04:18 am
#77 Kobus Kitty:
totatly agree my friend.
it frustrate me to hear hims ay “use it” when Italians were still moving forward. The game with many rules is tooo complicated IMo.
15 Nov 2009, 04:32 am
#80 greatest13gerber:
Ummm,if they stop for a second he would say use it.A little fast but the rules if he says use it,then use it.Simple really.Like when the ref call a ruck and hands off,you really should get your hands off the ball.
Its good to see that not only do you call a ref a cheat when you guys lose but you also call the ref a cheat when the ABs win,go figure.
15 Nov 2009, 04:34 am
#79 greatest13gerber:
Yep he played good against our B side front row,and hats of to him. But i think our guys are looking a bit fatigued,or is the fatigue rule applys to SA only?
15 Nov 2009, 04:50 am
#82 Hurricane:
fatiguee is mandatory excuse for a bad performancee my friend.
Used by anyside after a hiding or manhandle at scrumtimee. let alone a lost.
Crockett was well screwwed. theree is lack of depth in Abs at looseheadd. MacIntosh, Crockett. Ben Frankss nott up to testtt standardd.
the Englishh and especially frenchh will back themselvess to win the scrum battle. frogs looking veryy dangerous.
15 Nov 2009, 05:04 am
#51 SodaJoe:
veryy good comment. Our scrum is ideed kak. I too back the frogs to beat the chokerss. BUt then again, teh frogs are veryy unpredictable. But I expect them to win the forwardd battle.
15 Nov 2009, 05:40 am
Well done Dicko for another one sided ANZAC refeering. How long can Paddy defending his gambling mate Dicko for inconsistant mediocre refereeing. What a shame as the Italians played with great passion and should have been closer. The swinging arm tackle should have been a yellow and have seen worse spear tackles get missed by Dicko.
Its great to see the Northern Hemisphere passion so lacking in the trinations.
Its clear that the Boks should dump SAZAR and go north.
15 Nov 2009, 05:49 am
#81 Hurricane:
Why do you pretend to be a New Zealander? Pretty obvious you come from the Cape.
You’d have to be blind as a bat to not see how Dickinson was cheating for his ANZACS. 72 minutes to 80 minutes of penalized scrums, why no penalty try? How close is this old vermin from retirement? To think that he wins “Australia’s best ref” award every year…. disgusting.
15 Nov 2009, 06:32 am
I watched this game yesterday…..and have to say that since 1976 i , when i started my love affair with rugby….i have never seen a kiwi scrum take such a pounding…never. It was / is as bad as the Bok team currently. Mallet has said post game that tyhe SH needs to take this facet of the game more seriously….like they do in the NH….
Now i know it was a kiwi 2 nd string…..but i felt the result flattered the Kiwis …that kissing cousin **** kept them in the game. The last 5 minutes will go down as some of the most poor officiating i have witnessed….and my word the kiwis were really caned….
I guess this is a massive wake up call for kiwis and Boks….just hope we prepared to take heed…or see the WC 2011 head back to the NH….
At this moment France, a full strength Eng and even sides like Italy,Wales and Ireland will fancy the chances of a couple of big scalps…..
and those Argies too….
15 Nov 2009, 07:27 am
Are any of you guys ever happy??
What a negative bunch.
Look Italy took us apart in the scrums but to say they would have pushed us over for a try is a bit harsh,so no penalty try. Italy escaped alot of the times for slowing the ball down and hands in rucks and offsides a mile,even at points where they were on their line and no sign of a yellow card was there?
I am not happy with the way we played and did very well in the last 6 minutes to hold out a very good scrumming unit of Italy,but unlike you i am not going to sit there and say we won cos of a ref that cheated us to victory.
I think you guys should concentrate on finding someone that can sing your Anthem instead of blaming a ref that wasnt even reffing your game
Kia Kaha my friends
15 Nov 2009, 07:30 am
#86 Kobus Kitty:
I am a Kiwi,i havnt once complained about the Weather,Fatigue,Refs,National Anthems at all this week,so therefore its pretty obvious i am not South African
15 Nov 2009, 07:39 am
Hey, winners are grinners.
It might even be in the Quran AND the Bible and the Talmud AND the Bhagavad Gita and all the other stuff.
If it isn’t, it ought to be.
15 Nov 2009, 13:06 pm
#85 KevinRack: Haha Kevin, I’m going to get you a referee’s whistle and a yellow and a red card for christmas.
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