All Blacks Beat Italy 47‑17

All Blacks Remain Undefeated After Two Rounds

The All Blacks stayed perfect in the Nations Championship with a convincing 47‑17 win over Italy. Their earlier match saw a hard‑fought 34‑32 victory against France, hinting at an aggressive style. However, early lapses in handling, defence and discipline meant Italy could stay in the contest. By halftime the visitors led 14‑10, but New Zealand’s post‑break surge turned the tide.

Will Jordan opened the floodgates with a try off Jordie Barrett’s chip kick, hauled in by Leroy Carter. That effort pushed the All Blacks ahead for the first time and set Jordan on a historic path. He finished the night with three tries, lifting his career total to 50 in 56 tests and overtaking Doug Howlett as the top try scorer for New Zealand in test matches.

Jordan Sets Historic All‑Time Record

Jordan’s first‑half score was his 49th career test try, already tying the national mark before the second half began. He added a second try shortly after the restart, again exploiting Barrett’s quick thinking, and sealed his milestone with a third try in the 54th minute. The winger reflected on the journey, recalling backyard chip drills that gave him a humbling perspective on his achievement. With 50 tries in 56 appearances, Jordan now stands as the outright leading try scorer for the All Blacks in test history.

Moorby Makes Impactful Debut

Josh Moorby, playing on his birthday, entered the match in the 31st minute and instantly influenced the flow. He linked up with Hurricanes scrum‑half Cam Roigard to help score the first post‑break try, then later forced an intercept that set up another. Moorby’s burst past the cover defence created space for Jordan’s second try and he also contributed to the final All Black score. The debutant’s energy and involvement were evident as the side built a comfortable 33‑10 cushion within minutes of the restart.

Back‑rower Anton Segner also joined the fray at halftime, marking his test bow and becoming the first player born in Germany to wear the All Black jersey. His parents flew in from Frankfurt for the occasion, adding a personal touch to an already historic day for New Zealand rugby.

Italy Falters with Man Down

Italy entered the match fresh from a loss to Japan in Tokyo and showed early resolve, taking a 14‑10 lead into the break. However, a yellow card for Niccolò Cannone – upgraded to a red for a head‑butt on Roigard – left the side a man short for much of the final quarter. Despite the numerical disadvantage, Leonardo Marin managed a late try in the 57th minute, keeping the scoreboard alive for Italy. The discipline slip contributed to a 47‑17 defeat and will be a focus for Italy’s next fixtures.

All Blacks Also Reduced to 14 Men

New Zealand’s discipline was also tested when fly‑half Ruben Love received a sin‑bin for a deliberate knock‑on in the 71st minute. Love had already been cautioned in the week’s win over France, and the second yellow left the All Blacks a man short late in the game. The team managed the shortfall and held onto the lead, showcasing resilience under pressure.

Looking Ahead to Ireland

Head coach Dave Rennie will use the weekend’s performance to address the error‑prone periods that surfaced against Italy. The All Blacks host Ireland next weekend in Auckland, aiming to build on their unbeaten start to the Nations Championship. With Jordan’s record‑tying exploits and Moorby’s promising debut, New Zealand has plenty of momentum heading into that clash. Fans can expect another high‑tempo encounter as both sides look to assert dominance early in the tournament.