Sunday, June 28, 2009
All Blacks disappointed after low-scoring win over Italy
Joe Rokocoko, Isaac Ross, and George Whitelock crossed for tries with Luke McAllister adding three conversions and two penalties. Australian born Italian fullback Luke Mclean scored the points for his side with a penalty in each half.
The All Blacks will have been hoping for a better performance ahead of the upcoming Tri Nations, but struggled to find their rhythm and tried too hard at times.
"We put a lot of pressure on ourselves by trying to run it from everywhere and that probably reflected in the score at halftime," said captain Mils Muliaina
"There were a lot of opportunities there but we just didn't execute and it's very disappointing."
Italian coach Nick Mallet was happy with the way his side performed, and satisfied with the outcome of the three Test tour.
"Everything has to be taken into perspective. Italy is a small rugby nation...and to come on a tour like this, Australia, Australia, New Zealand, and to concede just an average of 30 points in each game is a fantastic effort," he said.
"I'm incredibly proud of them. The coaching staff were very happy with the way we hung in there.
"It was a dry night, dry ball and a very good attacking New Zealand side. We got beaten by 70 points in the World Cup so we had a lot of pride to get back.
"Conceding 13 points in the first half and 14 in the second, I'm very happy with that."
Time: 05:14
Posted at 1:57 pm | 25 comments
|
|
Viewing 25 comments
Anonymous June 28, 2009 3:04 pm

I'm happy for Italy, they must be glad for losing like this against NZ
Anonymous June 28, 2009 3:26 pm

glad for italy
rugbyazzuri June 28, 2009 3:52 pm

Anonymous June 28, 2009 4:58 pm

Anonymous June 28, 2009 6:40 pm

Anonymous June 28, 2009 7:23 pm

The Schpoople Master June 28, 2009 7:57 pm

Anonymous June 28, 2009 8:02 pm

bD June 28, 2009 8:11 pm

no more nonu please
Anonymous June 28, 2009 8:57 pm

Squirtle June 28, 2009 10:18 pm

I hate it when people say "Well we're playing the likes of Aus and NZ, so to only lose by 30 points is quite a positive."
It's never a positive, you play to win. Especially in the professional era. And people show far too much respect to SANZAR (I won't say Southern Hemisphere sides, because no-one pays any respect to Argentina, which they should do rather than Aus, NZ and SA). We've seen it with the Lions, and you see it with Mallett's Italy and the fawning media.
Fuck Mallett, Italy were progressing brilliantly under Berbizier, Mallett's taken them three steps backwards. The man's a muppet.
rugbyazzuri June 28, 2009 11:01 pm

At least against the all blacks Italy managed to pull off a good performance against such a renowned team.
Anonymous June 29, 2009 6:20 am

That said im happy to see rokocoko finaly showing some passion and getting work himself. Think he deserves his jersey for the 3N.should start:
leonard , weepu , mcallister,
GeeMan
Anonymous June 29, 2009 6:45 am

So far they're coming last in sorting out themselves. The Springboks are doing good, and the Aussies were brutally cool against the French on Saturday.
Hackney Griffin June 29, 2009 4:05 pm

Funny, from the highlights it looked as though NZ's tries all came from poor tackling, a lot of 1 on 1s not being made.
Mallet seems to have Italy heading in the right direction (Bergamasco detour in the 6N aside). Let's hope he builds on this and they can win two come the 6Ns. Although they'll struggle without Parisse.
Les Bleus June 29, 2009 5:57 pm

Facts :
1 ) No tries scored against AB's, this is due to the AB's defence.
2 ) Italy performed a lot better against Australia than AB's and still no tries.
3 ) 100% goal kicking?
4 ) Injuries to Starting XV : Richie Mccaw (70 caps), Daniel Carter (59 caps), Conrad Smith (25 caps), Sitiveni Sivivatu (34 caps), Rodney So'oialo (54 caps), Ali Williams (61 caps), Andrew Hore (36 caps).
5 ) Australia's only injury from memory was Wycliff Palu (17 caps).
I think we did all right considering the injuries, all those injuries to our side could easily make a world XV (apart from Rodney).
Anonymous June 29, 2009 11:16 pm

New Zealand have something up their sleeves with McCaw and others to return. And they played the French in the first two games when they were at their most difficult to beat - so they are battle hardned.
South Africa have come through - and won- a series of pulsating test matches against the Lions. So they too are battle hardned.
Australia however, they played Italy in the first to games and won both of them easily. Then played the French after they had put everything into the matches against New Zealand, so they were tired. Australia therefore have not been tested enough and have shown their hand.
Anonymous June 30, 2009 8:14 am

Deserving first ever test tries to Isaac Ross and George Whitlock. Joe Rokocoko also with his 44th try!
Keep it up All Blacks!
caucau's no.1 fan June 30, 2009 1:12 pm

themull June 30, 2009 4:13 pm

Anonymous July 01, 2009 12:22 am

Go Italy, in a few years you'll be beating NZ for fun, just like France do.
Francesco July 01, 2009 8:16 pm

Italian Rugby history is made of "honourable losses" and i think italians got enough of that...i was in Saint Etienne during the last World Cup, when we lost the chance to enter the IRB top 8, and i was in Padua when we lost the greatest chance we ever had to beat Australia...it's frustrating, believe me!
Anyway i think that Mallett is doing well, let him work and we'll see youngsters like Tebaldi, Favaro and Rubini become world class players
Anonymous July 02, 2009 8:02 pm

I feel you are too harsh on Italy. They are getting closer and closer. Soon they will start winning and beating the big teams with more regularity.
I appreciate it's frustrating but Wales and Ireland went through that in the 1990s but came out stronger.
Once Italy move into the Magners League they'll achieve superior results.
Don't forget Masi and Marcato were injured which would've given them options. And that kicking 15. A team like Italy needs ALL it's players fit to beat the big sides.
I agree you were unlucky at the World Cup















Commenting as Guest | Register or Login