The IRON FIST reviews New Zealand v Italy

VENUE: STADE VELODROME

CROWD: 60000

CONDITIONS: FINE

REFEREE: WAYNE BARNES

NEW ZEALAND 76 (43) v 14 (7) ITALY

SCORERS:

Try: Richie McCaw (2nd); 5-0

Con: Dan Carter (3rd); 7-0

Try: Richie McCaw (7th); 12-0

Con: Dan Carter (8th); 14-0

Pen: Carter (12th); 17-0

Try: Doug Howlett (13th); 22-0

Con: Carter (14th); 24-0

Try: Mils Muliaina (15th); 29-0

Con:Carter (16th); 31-0

Try: Sitiveni Sivivatu (18th); 36-0

Con: Carter (19th); 38-0

Try: Sivivatu (29th); 43-0

Try: Marko Stanojevic (38th); 43-5

Con: David Bortolussi (39th); 43-7

Try:Chris Jack (50th); 48-7

Con: Carter (51st); 50-7

Try: Howlett (56th); 55-7

Con: Carter (57th); 57-7

Try: Howlett (59th); 62-7

Try: Jerry Collins (68th); 67-7

Con: Luke McAlister (69th); 69-7

Try: Rodney So'oialo (71st); 74-7

Con: McAlister (72nd); 76-7

Try: Mirco Bergamasco (73rd); 76-12

Con: Roland de Marigny (73rd); 76-14

STATISTICS:

Scrums - NZ 4 feeds = 3 wins, ITA 8 feeds = 8 wins

Line-outs - NZ 17 feeds = 14 wins, ITA 8 feeds = 7 wins

Rucks/Mauls - NZ 41, ITA 53

Turnovers - NZ 9, ITA 9

Handling errors - NZ 12, ITA 8

Penalties - NZ 8, ITA 3

Free kicks - NZ 5, ITA 2

Shots at Goal - NZ (10/12), ITA (2/2)

Yellow cards - Carl Hayman (42nd); Salvatore Perugini (62nd)

Red cards -

PLAYER ANALYSIS:

Best Front-ranker: Keven Mealamu (2)

Best Second-rower: ChrisJack (5)

Best Back-rower: Jerry Collins (6)

Best Half-back: Dan Carter (10)

Best Mid-fielder: Luke McAlister (12)

Best at the Back: Leon MacDonald (15)

CONCLUSION:

It is not hard to see why this All Black side are the sizzling hot favourites for the title. It really was simply too easy for the Kiwis. The New Zealander’s interplay and handling was top-notch. Italy on the other hand was very disappointing. I even got the impression that they were almost in awe of the opposition. Some the try's were so soft they were laughable. Despite the fact that the Blacks were very slick, Carter, McAlister and Aaron Mauger used deft little chip kicks and grubbers that left the Azzuri going round in circles and ultimately conceding yet another try.

Feed back and comments welcome. Contact duncandamon@xsinet.co.za