All Blacks overcame a passionate Italian team

Of their 14-match programme, the All Blacks lost four. They introduced new players and attempted to lay the foundation for their style of game for the future, but the execution over 80 minutes continued to elude them in their final outing of 2024.

Italy's niggly defence unsettled the All Blacks. That approach prevented the clarity of All Blacks' execution, and the late tries could not mask the problem that has been the theme of 2024: the failure to put opponents away in the second half.

It took until the 69th minute for the All Blacks to add to their halftime tally, coming from a five-metre scrum and a long pass from first five-eighths Beauden Barrett, tidying up a pass miscued by an Italian defender, to wing Mark Tele'a who scored.

And 90 seconds from the end, Italy's quick lineout throw and clearance kick failed when Barrett saw space down the sideline and put his speed to work to score their last try.

But two yellow cards, one in each half, the first to skipper and lock Scott Barrett for a crocodile roll and another when second five-eighths Anton Lienert-Brown was penalised for offside when the side was under a warning in their 22m area, didn't help the cause and reflected their night.

The All Blacks' lack of co-ordination early was highlighted by lock Frederico Ruzza when he worked his way through a lineout maul to disrupt the transfer from hooker Codie Taylor, at the back of the maul, to halfback Cam Roigard. Italy then cleared downfield, securing a 50:22 and winning a penalty in the resulting play, which was converted by first five-eighths Paolo Garbisi in the 11th minute.

Beauden Barrett replied three minutes later. Then, after the restart, a blocking penalty was ruled, and Garbisi landed his second penalty goal.

In Scott Barrett's yellow card absence, Italy couldn't capitalise. Instead, it was the All Blacks who built off their lineout maul, and when the ball was freed, it was a charge by prop Ethan de Groot that provided the ball, albeit untidily, that allowed halfback Cam Roigard to assess the situation on the hoof, beat a tackle, and stroll across to score in the 23rd minute.

Delaying tactics by Italy could not deny the All Blacks, who got fullback Will Jordan into space in a movement that had flanker Wallace Sititi and Lienert-Brown in support. A tackle, one of many quality efforts by Italy wing Monty Ioane, stymied that move, but presented with a chance to build pressure from Italy's clearance, the All Blacks didn't miss.

Lifting the tempo and retaining the ball, the Italian defence was stretched, and again, it was Jordan who found the hole and went over a minute out from halftime for his 38th Test try.

Italy had the best period of the game in the 10 minutes after halftime when, inspired by a break made by fullback Ange Capuozzo, they camped in the All Blacks 22m area, drawing three penalties and a yellow card by Lienert-Brown, and mounting several lineout drives. However, determined All Blacks' defence resulted in them securing a five-metre scrum and a penalty to clear their line.

They rewarded their loyal home crowd when Tele'a attempted to tap an Italian kick down to centre Rieko Ioane, but the ball went forward and to the ground, where it was taken by Italy's second five-eighths Tommaso Menoncello, who was able to score.

Italy 11 (Tommaso Menoncello try, Paolo Garbisi 2 pen) New Zealand 29 (Will Jordan, Mark Tele'a, Cameron Roigard tries, Beauden Barrett 3 con, 1 pen, try)

HT: 6-17