Italy 11 New Zealand 29
New Zealand laboured to victory over a brave, battling Italy as the All Blacks wrapped up their Autumn Nations Series with a less-than-impressive performance in Turin.
The visitors had been expected to take out the disappointment of losing to France last weekend on an Italian side which had struggled in their opening two games of the autumn.
Instead, it was the Azzurri who looked the better side at the start, taking an early 6-3 lead before New Zealand finally clicked into gear with tries from Cam Roigard and Will Jordan, both converted by Beauden Barrett, to go 17-6 up at the break.
Italy again came out stronger in the second half, camping on the All Blacks’ line but failing to make it count.
The second half was 30 minutes old before Mark Tele’a increased the visitors’ lead. Tommaso Menoncello then went over for Italy before a late Beauden Barrett try sealed the result.
Team details
Italy: Capuozzo, Trulla, Brex, Menoncello, Ioane, P. Garbisi, Page-Relo, Fischetti, Lucchesi, Riccioni, Ruzza, Lamb, Negri, Zuliani, Vintcent.
Replacements: Nicotera, Spagnolo, Ferrari, N. Cannone, Izekor, A. Garbisi, Marin, Zanon.
New Zealand: Jordan, Tele’a, Ioane, Liernert-Brown, Clarke, B. Barrett, Roigard, de Groot, Taylor, Lomax, S. Barrett, Tuipulotu, Sititi, Cane, Savea.
Replacements: Aumua, Tu’ungafasi, Newell, Vaa’i, Lakai, Perenara, Havili, McKenzie.
Referee: Pierre Brousset (FFR)
10:24 PM GMT
TNT crew pay tribute to Cane and Perenara
10:22 PM GMT
Italy captain Ignacio Brex speaking post-match
10:21 PM GMT
The thoughts of man of the match Will Jordan
10:12 PM GMT
New Zealand say farewell to Sam Cane
10:08 PM GMT
This weekend’s Autumn Nations fixtures
Friday:
France 37-23 Argentina
Today:
Ireland 52-17 Fiji
Wales 12-45 South Africa
Italy 11-29 New Zealand
Tomorrow:
Scotland vs Australia 1.40pm
England vs Japan 4.10pm
You will be able to follow both games tomorrow with Telegraph Sport.
10:05 PM GMT
Full-time
Italy knock on and that is it in Turin. New Zealand win 29-11 and that finishes off 2024 in Test rugby for both of these sides. New Zealand say farewell to Sam Cane and TJ Perenara and a nice way for them to say goodbye to those two.
10:03 PM GMT
TRY! B Barrett gets in on the act
It was a terrible kick away from Italy, which only reached their edge of their 22. B Barrett picks up and darts down the left-hand touchline to score. He cannot convert his own try but New Zealand’s lead is back up to 18 points.
10:02 PM GMT
78 mins: Italy 11 New Zealand 24
B Barrett nearly finds Tele’a on the left-hand touchline but it just rolls into touch just short of the line. Italy take it quickly and do not get a great clearance on it…
10:01 PM GMT
TRY! Menoncello gets one back for the hosts
It is probably too little too late but they have their first try of the night. A Garbisi’s crossfield kick is knocked down into the path of Zanon, who gets a terrific offload out of the back of his hand to Menoncello, who cannot be caught. P Garbisi cannot get the conversion.
09:58 PM GMT
75 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 24
Italy now win a scrum penalty of their own with just five minutes remaining. The chance to attack inside the New Zealand half but they waste it as the visitors retake possession.
Jordan has been named man of the match.
09:58 PM GMT
75 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 24
Italy now win a scrum penalty of their own with just five minutes remaining. The chance to attack inside the New Zealand half but they waste it as the visitors retake possession.
Jordan has been named man of the match.
09:53 PM GMT
TRY! Tele’a over in the corner
That will probably be game, set and match. Interestingly it looked like Italy were going to be awarded a penalty at the scrum but the referee does not blow. New Zealand ship it wide and, although it does go to ground for a moment, it ends up in the hands of Tele’a, who makes no mistake this time. B Barrett lands a tough conversion and New Zealand’s lead is now up to 18 points.
09:50 PM GMT
69 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 17
The Italian scrum just holds up and New Zealand send it wide. Jordan has it on the right-hand touchline and flicks it back in before going into touch. It comes off the head of Brex into the dead-ball zone so New Zealand will have a five-metre scrum.
09:48 PM GMT
68 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 17
Another penalty advantage as Italy are caught offside. The ball is shipped out to the left and Tele’a knocks on five metres from the line so we go back to the penalty advantage.
09:47 PM GMT
67 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 17
This will be an emotional moment for New Zealand rugby. Former captain Cane leaves the pitch for the final time as a New Zealand player and goes off to a standing ovation. Lakai is his replacement.
09:45 PM GMT
66 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 17
New Zealand dominate once again at the scrum and the referee has lost patience. He had warned the Italians that another scrum infringement would result in a yellow card and Ferrari is sent to the bin.
09:44 PM GMT
65 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 17
New Zealand get into double figures of phases inside the Italy 22 and are getting closer to the try line. Italy are punished for a high tackle. What will they do? Go for the posts or to the corner? In fact New Zealand have opted for a scrum, which has been dominant tonight.
09:40 PM GMT
61 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 17
New Zealand dominate at the scrum and win a penalty. The Italian scrum is given a warning that the next infringement will result in a yellow card. New Zealand kick into the Italian 22.
Lienert-Brown’s yellow-card period is over but he has now been replaced by Havili. McKenzie is also on for Clarke.
09:36 PM GMT
58 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 17
On his final appearance for New Zealand, TJ Perenara is on for Roigard.
New Zealand get to the edge of the Italy 22 but the home side win a penalty at the breakdown through the jackal skills of Fischetti.
09:32 PM GMT
54 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 17
Two Garbisi’s are on the pitch now as scrum-half A Garbisi replaces Page-Relo.
09:29 PM GMT
52 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 17
New Zealand do really well to disrupt things and win the scrum. Another opportunity wasted by the hosts and how many more will they get? They have to be taking chances like that; camped on the New Zealand line yet coming away with nothing.
Nicotera and Cannone are on for Italy. Vaa’i is on in the second-row for New Zealand, replacing Tuipulotu.
09:26 PM GMT
50 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 17
Here comes the yellow card. Lienert-Brown was told to release as he made the tackle but instead ripped it out so it was inevitable that the card was coming. New Zealand down to 14 and this is Italy’s chance.
New Zealand are going to make a double change in the front-row as Aumua and Tu’ungafasi come on.
09:25 PM GMT
49 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 17
Italy win the lineout and it is scrappy but they keep possession. They are just a few metres short but they have numbers out to the left. They do not use them but they are still knocking on the door as the noise level ramps up. Italy have another penalty and New Zealand need to be careful as their captain S Barrett receives a talking-to. Next offence is a yellow card. Back to the corner Italy go.
09:22 PM GMT
47 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 17
Capuozzo breaks forward and into the New Zealand 22. He sends the ball to his left to Ioane, who ends up giving it back to Capuozzo. His kick forward ends up back in Italian hands and Italy are getting closer and closer to the New Zealand line. They now have a penalty advantage and come so close to the try but do not manage to do so. We go back for the penalty and Italy will go to the corner.
09:21 PM GMT
46 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 17
Tuipulotu is the man at the centre of this. As Negri carried the ball forward, he is tackled into the path of the New Zealand lock, whose tackle is high. There is plenty of mitigation as it was not a high degree of danger and Negri was tackled by Lomax into Tuipulotu. The referee decides it is just a penalty but Tuipulotu might be fortunate he did not receive a yellow card. On another day with another referee he may well have seen yellow.
09:19 PM GMT
45 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 17
Tele’a makes a terrific break through the centre of the Italian defensive line and races towards the Italian 22. He passes to his left to finds Taylor, whose pass inside is knocked on and Tele’a, who was in front, picks up the ball and is penalised.
The TMO has stepped in for a high tackle by New Zealand before that.
09:17 PM GMT
44 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 17
New Zealand win a scrum penalty just inside their own half and kick towards the Italy 22. The hosts steal the lineout though and can clear.
Italy have made a change in their front-row with Ferrari replacing Riccioni.
09:15 PM GMT
42 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 17
Ioane is penalised for running the ‘escort line’ and obstructing. From just inside his own half, Garbisi finds touch just inside the New Zealand 22. They win the lineout through Negri and set the maul, which does not make much ground so they send it into the hands of the backs. Savea comes up with a turnover and New Zealand can clear.
09:13 PM GMT
Second half
We are back under way in Turin.
09:08 PM GMT
On his final appearance
TJ Perenara led the haka on his final appearance for New Zealand so when will we see him off the bench?
09:04 PM GMT
This weekend’s Autumn Nations fixtures
Friday:
France 37-23 Argentina
Today:
Ireland 52-17 Fiji
Wales 12-45 South Africa
Italy 6-17 New Zealand HT
Tomorrow:
Scotland vs Australia 1.40pm
England vs Japan 4.10pm
08:57 PM GMT
Half-time
Roigard kicks it out and New Zealand lead at the break.
08:57 PM GMT
TRY! Jordan extends New Zealand’s lead
Jordan started the move and finishes it. With multiple penalty advantages in hand, the Italian defensive line cannot stop Jordan from going over as B Barrett finds him around the back as they shipped it wide. 38 tries in 41 caps. Quite an incredible strike-rate. B Barrett gets the conversion and New Zealand now lead by 11 points on the stroke of half-time.
08:52 PM GMT
34 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 10
Close for the visitors. Sititi makes the initial break in midfield and offloads outside to Jordan. The New Zealand full-back backs himself to get around Ioane but the Italy winger gets him down with a great tackle. On the ground Jordan offloads back to Lienert-Brown, who then finds Sititi. He tries to pass to Jordan in the corner just five metres out but the ball goes forward.
08:50 PM GMT
33 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 10
New Zealand attack from a scrum on the left just inside the Italian half. Ioane offloads off the deck to find Clarke and New Zealand approach the Italy 22. But Menoncello claims a crucial turnover for the hosts which allows them the chance to clear. But instead Garbisi goes for the crossfield kick. Trulla knocks it back for Capuozzo but he knocks it forward, which allows New Zealand to attack once more…
08:45 PM GMT
29 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 10
After a Garbisi knock-on on his own 10-metre line, New Zealand earn a scrum but, despite winning two penalties at the scrum already, this time it is Italy who win the penalty.
S Barrett is back on after his yellow card.
08:39 PM GMT
TRY! Roigard gives New Zealand the lead
New Zealand get the first try of the night. The ball hits the ground inside the Italy 22 and Roigard picks it up. He dummies a pass to his right and finds a gap in the Italian defensive line to scamper over for the try. That is his seventh try in 10 international games. B Barrett makes the easy conversion and New Zealand take the lead for the first time tonight.
08:38 PM GMT
23 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 3
We have an outcome from the bunker review and S Barrett’s yellow will remain so as there was not a high degree of danger.
Just outside the Italy 22 New Zealand set a maul and get it rolling into the Italy 22…
08:33 PM GMT
20 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 3
New Zealand captain S Barrett is in trouble. He croc-rolls Fischetti at the breakdown and is shown a yellow card. I do not think it will be upgraded to a red but it will be sent anyway to the bunker.
08:31 PM GMT
19 mins: Italy 6 New Zealand 3
Brex is penalised for not releasing and New Zealand kick to the edge of the Italy 22. It is scrappy off the top of the lineout for the visitors but they just about hold onto possession.
New Zealand go to the air and a knock-on gifts them back possession. They make their way into the Italy 22 as the phases reach double figures. Italy force a turnover but knock on in the process. New Zealand, who have been dominant in the scrum so far, have a scrum 15 metres out from the line in front of the posts.
Or will they? The TMO is stepping in…
08:28 PM GMT
PENALTY ITALY!
Another three for Garbisi and Italy retake the lead.
08:27 PM GMT
16 mins: Italy 3 New Zealand 3
That is what you call a coach-killer. During this Autumn Nations Series the referees have been hot on obstructions when the ball is in the air and ‘escorting lines’. New Zealand are penalised straight from the kick-off and Italy have another shot at three points.
08:25 PM GMT
PENALTY NEW ZEALAND!
B Barrett gets it and we are all square again. 3-3.
08:24 PM GMT
14 mins: Italy 3 New Zealand 0
Italy go off their feet at the breakdown and New Zealand will have a penalty on the Italian 10-metre line. They point to the posts…
08:23 PM GMT
PENALTY ITALY!
Garbisi makes it very easily and Italy get the first points of the night. The hosts lead 3-0.
08:22 PM GMT
11 mins: Italy 0 New Zealand 0
Brilliant from Italy. New Zealand set a maul and move towards the Italy 22. However Ruzza does brilliantly to disrupt and take the ball off the visitors. He offloads to Page-Relo, who kicks ahead from his own half into the New Zealand 22 for a 50-22. Can they take advantage this time? They win a penalty just over five metres from the New Zealand line with Savea cynically giving away the penalty and, with it being pretty much in front of the posts, they go for goal.
08:19 PM GMT
8 mins: Italy 0 New Zealand 0
From a scrum just inside their own half, Garbisi finds Ioane on the left-hand touchline with a neat crossfield kick but just as the hosts approach the New Zealand 22 they lose the ball.
08:16 PM GMT
5 mins: Italy 0 New Zealand 0
Italy force a turnover inside the New Zealand 22 as Roigard’s kick is charged down but they cannot take advantage as they knock on.
New Zealand then win a second scrum penalty inside the opening 10 minutes.
08:14 PM GMT
3 mins: Italy 0 New Zealand 0
The scrum of the night is completely dominated by New Zealand and they are awarded a penalty. Ominous!
08:13 PM GMT
2 mins: Italy 0 New Zealand 0
It has been a slightly sloppy start to this match. Off the kick-off New Zealand are driven into touch. Italy then lose their own lineout before Roigard box kicks straight into touch.
From a lineout on the edge of the New Zealand 22 Italy knock on.
08:11 PM GMT
Kick-off
Before we get started, it is time for the haka. The lights are still dimmed down and quiet descends in Turin. TJ Perenara leads it on his final appearance for New Zealand.
We are under way in Turin.
08:02 PM GMT
Anthem time
Both sides emerge from the tunnel in Turin (at the home of Juventus Football Club) and we are ready for the national anthems. ‘God Defend New Zealand’ followed by ‘Il Canto degli Italiani’. I have to admit these are two of my favourites!
The lights dim down for the home anthem.
07:58 PM GMT
Reminder of the team news
Italy starting XV: 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Jacopo Trulla, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex (c), 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Martin Page-Relo, 8 Ross Vintcent, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Dino Lamb, 4 Federico Ruzza, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: Replacements: 16 Giacomo Nicotera, 17 Mirco Spagnolo 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Niccolo Cannone, 20 Alessandro Izekor, 21 Alessandro Garbisi, 22 Leonardo Marin 23 Marco Zanon.
New Zealand starting XV: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Mark Tele’a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Scott Barret (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 David Havili, 23 Damian McKenzie.
07:52 PM GMT
Kick-off getting closer
07:48 PM GMT
Tributes to Sam Cane and TJ Perenara
07:40 PM GMT
This weekend’s Autumn Nations fixtures
Friday:
France 37-23 Argentina
Today:
Ireland 52-17 Fiji
Wales 12-45 South Africa
Italy vs New Zealand 8.10pm
Tomorrow:
Scotland vs Australia 1.40pm
England vs Japan 4.10pm
07:32 PM GMT
Another defeat for Wales
12 straight defeats for Warren Gatland’s side. They have just been thrashed 45-12 by South Africa. You can catch all the reaction to yet another defeat for Wales right here.
07:25 PM GMT
Get your fix
07:19 PM GMT
Telegraph Rugby Podcast
Go beyond the back pages and join the Telegraph’s rugby experts and big name guests as they tackle the game’s most interesting trends, themes and talking points. Our unrivalled rugby coverage, now available on the move! New episodes out Mondays.
07:12 PM GMT
Team news
Italy make six changes from their narrow win over Georgia. Toulouse’s Ange Capuozzo returns to start at full-back. Exeter back-row Ross Vintcent, Harlequins’ lock Dino Lamb and Saracens prop Marco Riccioni all start in the pack.
Italy starting XV: 15 Ange Capuozzo, 14 Jacopo Trulla, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex (c), 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Monty Ioane, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Martin Page-Relo, 8 Ross Vintcent, 7 Manuel Zuliani, 6 Sebastian Negri, 5 Dino Lamb, 4 Federico Ruzza, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 1 Danilo Fischetti.
Replacements: Replacements: 16 Giacomo Nicotera, 17 Mirco Spagnolo 18 Simone Ferrari, 19 Niccolo Cannone, 20 Alessandro Izekor, 21 Alessandro Garbisi, 22 Leonardo Marin 23 Marco Zanon.
Scott Robertson has made five changes from their narrow 30-29 defeat to France. Sam Cane and Mark Tele’a are back from injury but Jordie Barrett has been ruled out with a knee injury. Anton Lienert-Brown, Ethan de Groot and Patrick Tuipulotu also come into the starting XV.
New Zealand starting XV: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Mark Tele’a, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Scott Barret (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 David Havili, 23 Damian McKenzie.
07:06 PM GMT
Match preview
New Zealand travel to Turin tonight to take on Italy in their final game of their European tour. New Zealand suffered their first defeat of their European tour last Saturday by the narrowest of margins in Paris. After wins over England and Ireland to begin their tour, they fell to an agonising 30-29 defeat to France in an enthralling encounter at the Stade de France.
It is sure to be an emotional night for Sam Cane and TJ Perenara, who are set to make their final appearances for New Zealand. They are both swapping domestic rugby in New Zealand for Japan after this tour. Scott Robertson is expecting a tough challenge tonight from Italy and is hoping that his side can give Cane and Perenara a great send-off.
“This Italy team has made a real impact on the international stage this year, with a strong showing in the Six Nations competition that included wins over Scotland and Wales and a draw against France. We know the passion this team will bring, so we are preparing for a physical and motivated Italy for our final Test of the tour.
“As our first ever match in Turin, our final match of the 2024 Test season, and the farewell match for Sam and TJ, this will be a great occasion. We are determined to finish our season in a way that honours and celebrates the immense contribution that Sam and TJ have made to the black jersey.”
In off-field news, back-row Wallace Sititi, who has been in outstanding form during their European tour, has been nominated for Breakthrough Player of the Year. If Sititi were to win the award, it would be the second year in succession that a New Zealander has won it after Mark Tele’a took home the award in 2023.
After a heavy 50-18 defeat against Argentina two weeks ago, Italy nearly fell to defeat against Georgia last weekend but came through in the end. They did trail 17-6 at half-time but edged out their opponents 20-17.
These sides met at the World Cup last year, with New Zealand romping to an utterly dominant 96-17 win in Lyon during the group stages. Italian fans will certainly be hoping to avoid a repeat of that today. Today’s match is the final one for both of these sides in 2024.
