Will Jordan scored a spectacular hat-trick to become New Zealand’s outright record try-scorer as Italy were overwhelmed 47-17 in a fast-paced Nations Championship Test on Saturday.
The All Blacks shook off an unconvincing opening period to run in seven tries, securing two wins from two in the inaugural 12-nation competition under head coach Dave Rennie, following their 34-32 defeat of France last weekend.
The home side led 14-10 after a sluggish first half but ignited in the third quarter of the match, crossing the whitewash four times after Italy were reduced to 14 players.
Two of those scores went to the clinical Jordan, lifting his career international tally to 50 in 56 Tests — pulling him one clear of the previous record-holder, former winger Doug Howlett.
Italy’s hopes nosedived when lock Niccolò Cannone was shown a yellow card ten minutes after the interval for a head-butt on New Zealand scrumhalf Cam Roigard. The sanction was subsequently upgraded to a red card by match officials via the bunker system, with reviewers deeming the act carried a high degree of danger with no mitigation.
The visitors’ woes were compounded by a series of injuries, including an apparent chest injury to veteran full-back Tommaso Allan, who was stretchered from the field after a lengthy medical stoppage.
Italy had initially made a dream start when midfielder Tommaso Menoncello crossed in the third minute, finishing off a sweeping move he initiated by busting through Billy Proctor’s attempted tackle and interchanging crisp passes with Malik Faissal.
New Zealand levelled the scores at 7-7 when lock Sam Darry barged over, before the visitors temporarily nudged back in front through a penalty from the boot of Allan.
Jordan crossed on the half-hour mark to ensure New Zealand took a narrow advantage into the interval after a scrappy 40 minutes in which they struggled to dent a resolute Italian defensive line.
However, a brutal four-try blitz from New Zealand in the first 14 minutes of the second spell completely bulldozed the Azzurri’s hopes of a maiden Test victory over the All Blacks in 18 attempts.
The first two scores went to Roigard and loosehead prop Ethan de Groot, both crossing after superb work from substitute winger Josh Moorby on his Test debut.
Jordan then crossed twice in quick succession to seal his milestone hat-trick, before the home side punctuated the scoreline in the final minute with a try from lock Tupou Vaa’i. Italy’s lone second-half consolation was scored by replacement back Leonardo Marin.
New Zealand host Ireland at Eden Park in Auckland next weekend, whilst Italy — who were beaten 27-10 by Japan last week — travel to face Australia in Perth.
AFP
