- All Blacks dominate Italy.
- Aaron Smith’s hat-trick shines.
- New Zealand’s rugby prowess showcased.
Speculation arose before the match that Italy would be more than a speed bump for the All Blacks. Aaron Smith first-half hat-trick was just one highlight of a humiliating night for the Azzurri. The All Blacks outpaced the Italians by such a margin that they nearly reached triple digits.
It served as a reminder that New Zealand should not be underestimated in the tournament’s knockout stages. The past month’s setbacks focused minds, and a week of rest rejuvenated their bodies. The result was a night when the All Blacks made rugby look exceptionally easy, leaving the opposition bewildered.
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If Italy giving them too much space helped, their potential quarterfinal opponent, Ireland, has been duly cautioned. Captain Ardie Savea and Will Jordan each contributed two tries, while Richie Mo’unga’s precise kicking and the front five’s solid defense were impressive. Sam Whitelock entered in the second half, surpassing Richie McCaw’s record for most All Blacks caps.
Based on this evidence, the All Blacks have undoubtedly returned, ready to seize any opportunity. If their loss to France on the opening night was disappointing, this felt like a well-timed affirmation. Head coach Ian Foster commented, “I did not anticipate the game unfolding this way.” “I’m not sure too many did. We crushed their hopes within the first twenty minutes. It was a game we prepared exceptionally well for… it was the performance we wanted.”
The game descended into chaos, beginning with Jordie Barrett’s precise pass to Jordan, allowing the winger to finish acrobatically in the right corner.
While Italy had some early refereeing decisions against them, their attacking desire was not matched by their defensive organization. Smith, Mark Telea, and Savea scored three tries in under five minutes, earning their team a bonus point just 22 minutes after kick-off.
It was clear that Italy would have a tough night, and it was about to get worse. Smith’s outstanding presence at the scrum’s base led to a second opportunistic try. Before halftime, Smith completed his hat-trick, and Italy hardly touched the ball.
The try exemplified New Zealand’s brilliance: Mo’unga’s astute space identification, a delayed pass to Jordie Barrett, and an inside ball to the supporting scrum-half. In three simple, repeatable steps, perfection was achieved.
Savea’s second try before halftime, showcasing New Zealand’s maul effectiveness, was less elegant but equally valuable. With Mo’unga converting consistently, the halftime lead remained unchanged. The All Blacks were slightly less ruthless in the second half, with Brodie Retallick scoring within 10 minutes of the restart and Dalton Papalii adding his name to the scoresheet in the third quarter.
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Mo’unga finally missed a conversion attempt on his tenth try after a clever front-of-the-lineout maneuver set Dane Coles up for a try. The only question was whether New Zealand would score a century, as they did in the 1999 World Cup against the same opponents. They didn’t, but Ange Capuozzo and Monty Ioane’s consolation scores didn’t matter. “What can you say?” their coach Kieran Crowley muttered. “They turned it into a glorified team run, didn’t they? Nevertheless, you have to give them credit; I thought they were quite impressive tonight. We must pick up the fragments, and we will.”
