New Zealand fire World Cup warning with ruthless 14-try demolition of Italy

29 September 2023 , 21:13

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Will Jordan opens floodgates with a brilliant finish for New Zealand's opener (Image: AFP via Getty Images)

New Zealand gave Sam Whitelock a night to remember as they ran riot to mark him becoming the most-capped All Black of all time.

The Kiwi lock’s 149th Test was a demolition job from start to finish as Italy were humiliated by a team firing out a warning to likely quarter-final opponents Ireland.

Aaron Smith scored a first-half hat-trick and New Zealand had seven by the time Whitelock came on to overtake Richie McCaw and also equal the World Cup appearance record.

The timing of Italy’s no show was matched only by coach Kieran Crowley’s choice of match to claim “everyone has caught up” with the All Blacks.

He meant relative to how dominant they used to be but it smacked of poking the bear and, being a Kiwi himself, he really should have known better.

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“It turned into a glorified training run for them, didn’t it,” Crowley said afterwards. “They’ll be pretty pleased with that performance I would think. It was a bit of a statement.”

Will Jordan started the 14-try rout with a contender for try of the tournament before scrum-half Smith bagged his 16-minute three-timer.

Aaron Smith scores one of his three tries (AFP via Getty Images)

Italy were woefully inadequate in defence but in this mood few, if any, sides would have lived with the men in black.

“I think we took their hope away in the first 20,” said New Zealand coach Ian Foster. “Perhaps they then thought they had another bullet to fire against France next week.

“We certainly had an edge to that performance. We didn't want to give Italy a chance. We’re really proud of it. It means we’ve taken control of our own destiny which is where we wanted to be.”

Brothers in arms: All Blacks blasted their way back into World Cup reckoning with Lyon masterclass (AFP via Getty Images)

Doubts raised by their Twickenham stuffing from South Africa last month and that opening night loss to France can be put to bed. Ireland, safe to say, have been warned.

NZ - Tries: Jordan 2, Smith 3, Telea, Savea 2, Retallick, Papali’i, Coles 2, McKenzie, Lienert-Brown. Cons: Mo’unga 9, McKenzie 4.

ITALY - Tries: Capuozzo, Ioane. Cons: Allan, Garbisi. Pen: Allan.

Alex Spink