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Italy (3) 6
Pens: Gower 2
New Zealand (14) 20
Try: Flynn
Pens: McAlister 5
Three players made their debut for the All Blacks
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A second-string New Zealand battled to a 20-6 victory over Italy in front of a capacity 80,000 crowd at the San Siro. The All Blacks made 12 changes to the side which beat Wales last weekend, but a Corey Flynn try and 15 points from Luke McAlister's boot proved enough. Stout defending from the Italians disrupted the tourists' rhythm. But in front of the biggest attendance for a rugby match in Italy, the hosts squandered possession and only mustered six points from Craig Gower's boot. Gower, a former Australian rugby league star, gave Italy the lead with a fourth-minute penalty, but McAlister soon levelled matters and New Zealand pretty much had the game wrapped up before the break.
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606: DEBATE
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McAlister dissected the posts once again before debutant Tamati Ellison and Sitiveni Sivivatu created space for hooker Flynn to touchdown in the corner. Another McAlister penalties ensured the All Blacks were 14-3 ahead going into the break. Italy were forced the spend 10 minutes with 14 men when Gonzalo Garcia was sent to the sin bin for illegally stealing the ball in the 43rd minute. While the centre was away, McAlister kicked New Zealand further ahead, and to victory. However, Italy showed tremendous spirit in the closing stages and spent the final minutes camped near the New Zealand tryline, but the impressive All Blacks defence held strong.
Italy: McLean, Robertson, Canale, Garcia, M. Bergamasco, Gower, Tebaldi, Perugini, Ghiraldini, Castrogiovanni, Del Fava, Geldenhuys, Zanni, M. Bergamasco, Parisse. Replacements: Picone for Tebaldi (60), Rouyet for Perugini (60), Ongaro for Castrogiovanni (64), Pavanello for Del Fava (58), Favaro for Zanni (67). Not Used: Burton, Sgarbi. Sin Bin: Garcia (44). New Zealand: Jane, B. Smith, Ellison, McAlister, Sivivatu, Delany, Ellis, Crockett, Flynn, Tialata, Donnelly, Boric, Messam, Latimer, So'oialo. Replacements: Donald for Delany (67), Cowan for Ellis (60), Afoa for Crockett (60). Not Used: Hore, Eaton, McCaw, Muliaina. Sin Bin: Tialata (78). Att: 81,000 Ref: S Dickinson (Australia)
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