“It’s just another game” Italy defiant ahead of facing New Zealand at the World Cup
Italy take on New Zealand with genuine belief that they can secure a first-ever victory over the All Blacks and reach the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.
Kieran Crowley’s side have a maximum ten points from their first two Pool A fixtures, following a thrashing of Namibia with a win over Uruguay, but will know the quality will ratchet up against the three-time winners.
New Zealand’s men suffered a first ever World Cup pool stage defeat on the opening night of the tournament against France, though bounced back in style against Namibia.
They are boosted for this clash in Lyon by the return from injury of flanker Shannon Frizell and centre Jordie Barrett, though regular captain Sam Cane is only among the replacements after his own fitness issues.
Meanwhile Sam Whitelock will become the most-capped All Black of all-time when he comes off the bench, with the lock set to surpass the great Richie McCaw.
Follow all the latest from the Pool A match below. Get all the Rugby World Cup odds here, plus the latest tips and free bets on the World Cup here.
New Zealand vs Italy – Rugby World Cup live updates
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New Zealand 7-3 Italy, 14 minutes
New Zealand win the kicking battle, turning Italy and asking them to play from deep. Italy oblige and run into the All Blacks trap, hands on the ball at the breakdown with Garbisi isolated and Jordie Barrett locked on. Penalty, and up the right New Zealand advance.
Harry Latham-Coyle29 September 2023 20:15
New Zealand 7-3 Italy, 13 minutes
New Zealand’s lineout drill is efficient and they punt long. Monty Ioane swallows it up and sets off on a charge, though the All Blacks have him well handled. Mark Telea is a little bit narrow defensively on the left and Paolo Garbisi spots it, but can’t get the execution right to put Ange Capuozzo into the space apparent, the crossfield kick sailing out on the full.
Harry Latham-Coyle29 September 2023 20:14
New Zealand 7-3 Italy, 12 minutes
Delightful from Stephen Varney. The young Gloucester nine has come into his own in recent weeks, and shows intelligence to kick quick ball into space before a lack of carriers stalls his side. The Italy scrum half pivots back on to his left boot and produces a lovely angled box kick into the corner.
Harry Latham-Coyle29 September 2023 20:13
New Zealand 7-3 Italy, 11 minutes
That’s not ideal from Beauden Barrett, floating his restart a little too far as he aims for the chasing Will Jordan on the right. Italy’s scrum on halfway.
Harry Latham-Coyle29 September 2023 20:11
PENALTY! New Zealand 7-3 ITALY (Tommaso Allan penalty, 10 minutes)
And Tommaso Allan, who hasn’t missed a kick all tournament, collects a simple three points from a central position 40 metres out.
Harry Latham-Coyle29 September 2023 20:10
New Zealand 7-0 Italy, 9 minutes
That’s a good response from Italy, a crunching midfield collision drawing a penalty.
Harry Latham-Coyle29 September 2023 20:09
TRY! NEW ZEALAND 7-0 Italy (Will Jordan try, 7 minutes)
Cross-kick, catch, score! The try machine has another!
Clinical from the All Blacks. This is the problem that having three playmakers causes, Italy focussing in on Richie Mo’unga and Beauden Barrett and gifting Jordie Barrett space and time. Dalton Papali’i flicks it back to him and the youngest Barrett brother lifts the sort of pitching wedge Jon Rahm might be proud of out to the right wing, where Will Jordan grabs, gathers and gallops to the corner for the score. A leap and a lunge and test try number 24 is his – with J. Barrett adding an excellent touchline conversion.
(REUTERS)
Harry Latham-Coyle29 September 2023 20:07
New Zealand 0-0 Italy, 5 minutes
New Zealand work something clever down the right but an extended arm from Juan Ignacio Brex denies a looping Richie Mo’unga. Deliberate? The officials seem content the knock on was just in the tackle for now.
The All Blacks spread it left, where Brodie Retallick thumps over the gainline. Italy then infringe – advantage coming…
Harry Latham-Coyle29 September 2023 20:06
New Zealand 0-0 Italy, 4 minutes
Federico Ruzza just about claws back the lineout to Stephen Varney, but the slight malfunction throws off the timing. The runner is ahead of Varney as he tosses a forward pass. An excellent chance for New Zealand, this, a scrum just right of centre, 15 metres out – after th obligatroy reset…
Harry Latham-Coyle29 September 2023 20:04
New Zealand 0-0 Italy, 2 minutes
But Italy are turned over on the All Blacks ten-metre, ending a promising attack. New Zealand immediately show their stuff, first Ardie Savea on the left and then Rieko Ioane on the right carrying strongly.
Italy’s defensive line spreads so Aaron Smith finds the spac, dropping a well directed box kick into the left corner, from where Giacomo Nicotera will throw.
Harry Latham-Coyle29 September 2023 20:03