All Blacks Scrape Away With Win In Rome

After a complete demolition of Scotland at Murrayfield, Steve Hansen made 14 changes to his side to face Italy, with Julian Savea the only one backing up from the week before. Whilst that dreaded R word came to everyones minds when the team was announced, the All Blacks managed a comfortable 42-10 win in the end, although it wasn't all that easy, nor was it a very attractive brand of footy.

The Italians brought a new kind of passion to the game in Rome, something we haven't seen from the them in a long time. They really stepped up their game since the last time the two sides met 2 years ago in Milan. This somewhat shocked the All Blacks, as they were slow to get themselves into the game. The Italians targeted the breakdown, and their physicality in that area caused some headaches for the All Blacks forward pack, and also halfback Aaron Smith, who was put under constant pressure by the Italians, therefore resulting in slower ball for the backs to work with. This also meant that the All Black backline was often starting on the back foot, meaning that the Italian backline had more time to come up and put early pressure on Aaron Cruden so he couldn't clear it to the threats out wide.

However, when we did manage to get fast front foot ball, Cruden took it to the line effectively and managed to set up his outsides well. Although they were quiet early on, wingers Hosea Gear and Julian Savea started to assert themselves on the game in the second half, not only scoring tries, but taking the ball to the line off the shoulder of Cruden and Nonu and setting up support players for the tries. Beauden Barret was solid in his first start at fullback, managing to control the early aerial assult from the Italians well. He attacked the line with speed, but found himself nudging the ball through a few too many times. Cory Jane was a standout when he came on at fullback, constantly taking the ball to the line and breaking through the Italian defense. Expect to see him back on the right wing for the test against Wales at Millennium Stadium, as the All Blacks go back to their A team for the last two tests.

The Standouts:

Kieran Read

Tony Woodcock

Julian Savea

Brodie Retallick

Cory Jane

Probable Starting XV for Wales:

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Keven Mealamu
3. Owen Franks
4. Luke Romano
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Liam Messam
7. Richie McCaw (c)
8. Kieran Read

9. Aaron Smith
10. Dan Carter
11. Julian Savea
12. Ma'a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Cory Jane/Hosea gear
15. Israel Dagg/Cory Jane

16. Andrew Hore
17. Wyatt Crockett
18. Ben Franks
19. Brodie Retallick
20. Victor Vito
21. Piri Weepu
22. Aaron Cruden
23. Beauden Barret