1
'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability
By Ben Smith
Scott Roberton admitted the All Blacks‘ mindset was “slightly off” as a resolute Italian side rose to the challenge in Turin to put the All Blacks under the pump.
ADVERTISEMENT
A shakey first 20 minutes full of errors from both sides saw Italy take a 6-3 lead as the visitors set-piece and breakdown came up the blowtorch.
The Italian pack disrupted throws at the lineout and made a mess of the ruck to create stops in the momentum before a piece of magic from Cam Roigard gave New Zealand some breathing room.
Up 10-6 another strike to Will Jordan on half-time created a buffer heading into the second half but it took until the 70th minute to find the next score.
“That’s why we named the team we did,” Robertson said after the win to Sky Sport NZ.
“When they’re on, they’re on. They are physical. They, you know, a 65 metre field with a little bit of a grease on that. They got double shoulders on us.
“Our mindset was slightly off. They smelt it.
“We found a way in this one. We showed a lot of composure. The set-piece went to work. And just good, big moments put pressure back on them.”
ADVERTISEMENT
The scrum was one of the shining lights for the All Blacks, winning seven penalties to release pressure and win field position.
Two try assists from Beauden Barrett and his night cap try 90 seconds from full-time finished off the Italians.
The All Blacks finished their first year under Scott Robertson with 10 wins and four losses for a return of 71 per cent, although crucially lost the Rugby Championship trophy for the first time since 2019.
“We’ve had three games won on small moments. Big moments in Test matches could’ve gone the other way,” he said reflecting on the season.
ADVERTISEMENT
“Look, I’m so proud of the mindset and the growth of the group. We done so much to play some unbelievable footy, but test footy is about key moments, making the right decisions and finding a way, we just haven’t quite got that.
“It’s a tight group off and on the field, and we are just that far away. I’m learning. We’re learning. And we are getting better.”
Go behind the scenes of both camps during the British and Irish Lions tour of South Africa in 2021. Binge watch exclusively on RugbyPass TV now
A messy season. New coaches, systems, philosophies it was always a start if something new. But I'm disappointed at how players who continue to not come up with the goods are retained and most if not all debuts were down to injuries rather than inspired selection. This season was the honeymoon, more has to be delivered next year.
I think all you need to do is look at Aus to see where the big issue is for the ABs. Aus can turn a world cup pool failure to beating England in the same time Razor has taken the ABs from a 1 point loss in the WC last year to an absolute rabble this year. ABs won 91-17 v Italy last year with our so called B side. This was Razors strongest side yet were terrible. They look like they met yesterday.
I think Razor picked an ABs team to play the Italy team that beat both Scotland & Wales, drew with France, & were pipped by England, in the Six Nations in Feb/Mar this year. Because that's the way they brought it to us. Well done Azzuri, well done All Blacks.
I thought they were very inept Sadersman. That was a horrible performance and just adds to the year where just when we think they are improving they do this. Look at the way Schmidt has turned Aus around. Perhaps NZR made the wrong choice.
Yeah I predicted (out of thin air) it to be more like 30 points between them. You don't think it wasn't more like that because they picked jaded players?
Will have a look at the game now I guess.