Will Jordan sets All Blacks try record as New Zealand beat Italy 47-17

Will Jordan became New Zealand's all-time leading try-scorer in test rugby as the All Blacks overcame a slow start to beat Italy 47-17 in Wellington on Saturday and remain unbeaten after two rounds of the Nations Championship.

The winger scored three tries to reach 50 in 56 tests, a national record, in a match in which New Zealand scored five tries and 33 points after halftime to make the win comfortable.

A dismal first-half performance saw the All Blacks rushed into errors by Italy's flat, physical defense and rocked by an Italian try after only three minutes: centre Tommaso Menoncello opened the scoring from an All Blacks turnover. Though Sam Darry responded within five minutes, New Zealand limped to halftime with a slender 14-10 lead. Jordan's first try came in the 30th minute from a chip kick by Jordie Barrett and a skillful recovery by Leroy Carter.

"I think we started really well and we were putting them under pressure," Italy captain Michele Lamaro said. "They came back on the field after halftime with another gear and we couldn't hold them."

The All Blacks scored in the first 11 minutes of the second half to race to a 33-10 lead and never looked back. Josh Moorby came off the bench in the 31st minute to make his test debut on his birthday and played a major role in the three tries, while backrower Anton Segner came on at halftime for his debut, becoming the first Germany-born All Black.

The errors that featured at both ends of the match will worry head coach Dave Rennie as the All Blacks prepare to face Ireland next weekend in Auckland.

Sources

• AP News