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Aaron Smith on the All Blacks’ missed ‘opportunity’ against Italy
By Finn Morton
Before a word was spoken, Kieran Crowley said it all as the coach sat down at Friday night’s press conference after Italy’s disastrous 96-17 loss to the All Blacks in Lyon.
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With a frustrated sign and a quick glance downwards, Crowley was visibly disappointed as the Azzurri were caught on the wrong side of a “statement” win by New Zealand.
Halfback Aaron Smith scored a first-half hat-trick as the All Blacks ran riot against a helpless Italian outfit, with the New Zealanders taking a commanding 46-point lead into the break.
But they could’ve been better, at least according to Smith. The All Blacks were kept scoreless for almost 10 minutes to start the second term, and conceded a try, in a major shift to the Test.
Smith, 34, was left feeling a “bit grumpy” as one of the senior players in the squad after the sluggish start after coming out of the half-time sheds.
“I think as a player you’re just thinking about winning, trying to get a win,” Smith told reporters.
“I guess it’s a statement but as a player, you’re still looking at things we could have done a lot better. I’m just thinking of that 10 minutes after half-time that we let them squeeze us a bit and our discipline slipped and our energy was a bit low.
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“We were able to get the momentum back but I’m an old boy and a bit grumpy with things like that.
“There was a huge opportunity there to probably send a bigger statement and we still sent one but it could’ve been bigger.”
Thousands of passionate Italian supporters let out a deafening cheer as wing Ange Capuozzo crossed for the opening try of the second term.
During that 10-minute period, the All Blacks looked like a shadow of their first-half selves, but it didn’t take long for them to make amends.
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Tries to Brodie Retallick, Dalton Papali’i, Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Anton Lienert-Brown and a double from Dane Coles saw the New Zealanders soar towards a century.
While the All Blacks fell four points short of what would’ve been a headline-grabbing ton, they’re in control of their own destiny ahead of a final pool play clash with Uruguay.
“We had two weeks to prepare for one game and there was a lot of nervous energy and pressure and intensity at training last week in Bordeaux,” Smith added.
“Then another week based in Lyon and a good week at training. Really wanted to have a clear plan, we had a week to prepare, and then just simplified the week around getting our bodies right and minds right.
“It was definitely a nervous energy and edge when we ran out, you could feel it and the Lyon crowd were amazing, the stadium was an amazing arena.
“It was good to put a performance like. There were definitely key things in Bordeaux we were trying to implement tonight and it was good to see a few of those come through.
“We know what’s coming and we’ve got another tough game on a short turnaround against Uruguay so we need to get our bodies right, stay grounded, and take the learnings from tonight.
“Italy still caused us a lot of pressure on their attack and their phase and we need to clean that stuff up. When the scoreboard ticks up a bit we’ve still got to be a lot more ruthless with offloads and stuff like that.
“Also, you’ve got to be grateful for the performance.”
Scott McLeod is poor defense coach . It is the problem. Fortunately, Scott Hansen comes with Razor the 1rst November !
All blacks must fix this problem because they cannot give 17 pts to Italy. Ireland is not Italy !
Good grief. Anyone devaluing the ABs hammering of Italy should check out Italy's results in the 2023 six nations. They competed in every game. No cricket scores. I swear some people won't be happy unless the ABs put 50 points on Ireland or the boks or the French. And I'm sure they would find fault with that too. The Italy result doesn't mean the ABs are nailed on world cup finalists but it was an excellent performance and crucially, no injuries (I don't think!?) or red cards! Be happy.
Sorry, but this is the worst thing that could’ve happened to our ABs Now Fozzie and co will think their selections and real-time game tactics are working and will be justified in continuing with their and excuse the language but BS plans…we are seriously on the next flight home after the Wallabies wish I was wrong but nope can’t see it….bring on Razor and 2027…
Game was a disgrace for world rugby.
'Damned if you do and damned if you don't'. Life as a mghty All Black.
So the Northern supporters say they have closed a gap when Wales beat Aus, but when ABs slaughter Italy they are called tier 2 opposition. Can't have it
both ways. Truth is , the difference is playing spirit. ABs had dropped in spirit but now after all the NH
press talk they have something to prove. NH press have handed them a cold plate, and revenge is a dish best served cold. Wow betide Ireland SA and England in the final.
Yeah Italy were poor but they also lost 24-29 to France earlier in the year.
The AB's have two scalps, Namibia and Italy not something to write home about, when they play decent teams it all falls apart
Good Performance but I notice that their defence is still suspect, letting Italy in for tries, allblacks still need to muscle up on their back line defence in preparation for Ireland, the forwards were good, but still can be a lot better, I didn't see that mongrel in the allblack forwards, but that's what's happening now I guess because of referee interpretations in this world cup, a better be safe attitude, which sucks!
Good performance, but no competition at the breakdown, no pressure on defence. Easy to bully the little teams without any pressure , we shall see against Ireland I suppose.