Will Jordan makes All Blacks history in win over Italy
by Craig Taylor · KickOffDeath. Taxes. And tries from Will Jordan. These are the certainties in life.
But the All Blacks didn’t have it all their own way in their Nations Championship clash against Italy, particularly in the first half, before coming away with a 47-17 win in Wellington on Saturday. Jordan also broke the New Zealand try-scoring record, crossing for his 50th Test try.
Tommaso Menoncello opened the scoring for Italy as the visitors profited from poor handling by the All Blacks.
Menoncello collected the loose ball, broke free, and then found Malik Faissal on the wing. The winger made ground and passed inside to Menoncello for a converted try and a 7-0 lead.
It didn’t take the All Blacks long to respond after they set up a lineout from a penalty when Italy were caught offside.
After bashing away at the Italian line for a few phases, Sam Darry got over for a converted score to tie things up at 7-7.
The next few minutes belonged to Italy as they camped in the New Zealand 22. While they thought they had scored after driving over, the try wasn’t awarded as the referee ruled the ball was held up.
But with the All Blacks struggling to exit, Italy won another penalty, which Tommaso Allan slotted for a 10-7 lead in the 20th minute.
The All Blacks were struggling to get into the game and continued to make elementary mistakes, but when they finally strung things together, they hit the front again in the 30th minute.
It came from a counter-attack, with some excellent handling getting Will Jordan over for a converted try and a 14-10 lead, which remained the score at half-time.
The All Blacks extended their lead to 21-10 two minutes into the second half when Cam Roigard profited from some good work by Will Jordan and Josh Moorby to cross for a converted try.
Further tries followed from Ethan de Groot and Jordan, who completed his hat-trick, as the All Blacks secured their second win of the Nations Championship.
Italy scored their second of the match through Leonardo Marin.
Scorers
All Blacks 47 (14)
Tries: Sam Darry, Will Jordan (3), Cam Roigard, Ethan de Groot, Tupou Vaa'i
Conversions: Ruben Love (6)
Penalties:
Italy 17 (10)
Tries: Tommaso Menoncello, Leonardo Marin
Conversions: Tommaso Allan, Paolo Garbisi
Penalties: Tommaso Allan