All Blacks race away from Italy in second half
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The All Blacks continued their unbeaten record over Italy with a 47-17 win in Wellington but only after a scrappy first half turned into a benefit in the second spell.
Will Jordan crossed three times, once in the first half and twice in the second to become the first All Black to score test 50 tries, surpassing Doug Howlett and equalling Portia Woodman-Wickliffe as New Zealand’s top all-time scorer..
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Italy scored the first try of the game as Tommaso Menoncello crossed from a well supported move to shock the home side just two minutes into the match.
However All Blkacks lock Sam Darry then replied by crashing through defenders in the eighth minute before Will Jordan went over in the 30th minute as the score meandered to 14-4 at the break
The All Blacks then found some continuity as Cam Roigard found a little gap on the line followed by prop Ethan de Groot in the 48th minute.
Jordan then scored his second and third tries as the Italian defense opened up and the pace of the All Blacks showed.
The final try wen to Tupou Vaai'i right on the fulltime whistle.
Anton Segner and Josh Moorby made their debuts and added plenty to the game with neither looking out of place on the field in front of a sellout crowd.
The Dave Rennie coached All Blacks can expect a tough 80 minute contest next week as Ireland try to challenge New Zealand's ubeaten record since 1994 at Eden Park.
All Blacks 47 (Will Jordan 3 tries, Sam Darry, Cam Roigard, Ethan de Groot, Tupou Vaa'i, tries; Ruben Love 6 con) Italy 17 (Tommaso Menoncello, Leonardo Marin 57' tries; Tommaso Allan 2 con, pen). HT: 14-10.
Red card: Niccolo Cannone (Italy)