New Zealand thrash Italy 3-66 to end European tour on high

Italy 3-66 New Zealand, Stadio Olimpico
Scorecard

New Zealand ensured they finished their European trip on a high as they trounced Italy 3-66 at Stadio Olimpico on Saturday.

The bulk of the scoring was done by Jordie Barrett and Damian McKenzie who managed seven tries between them as the All Blacks bounced back from their 16-9 defeat to Ireland last weekend at Aviva Stadium doing no harm to their number one ranking.

Both the teams looked scratchy in the initial minutes before TJ Perenara opened the visitors' account with a ninth minute try that was not converted.

However, it was a matter of time before Steve Hansen's men got into the groove as McKenzie (18' and 28') and Jordie (32' and 40') added two tries apiece along with three conversions from Beauden as New Zealand managed 31 points at the end of the first half - 28 more than Italy who had their only points in the game through Tommaso Allan's 13th minute penalty goal.

The second half was no different as the All Blacks extended their domination with further tries from Ngani Laumape (44'), Beauden (46') and McKenzie (53') as they crossed the 50 point mark. Beauden also added two extras before he was replaced by Richie Mo'unga with the latter kicking the conversion on the third occasion.

?? EXCLUSIVE | In this #TeamAllBlacks exclusive, go inside the All Blacks changing room following the final Test of the year against Italy to get all the reaction from the players.

FULL VIDEO ???? https://t.co/osLcVZfFiR pic.twitter.com/RLExiQlHcn

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) 25 November 2018

It was Jordie though who ensured a strong finish for Hansen's side with back to back tries in the final 10 minutes as the World Champions completed a resounding 3-66 victory to end their European tour with two wins from three games.

???? Thanks for having us @Federugby. See you at #RWC2019! pic.twitter.com/Au6D5G8V4a

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) 24 November 2018

?? EXCLUSIVE COLUMN | With the 2018 All Blacks Test season wrapped up, @JimKayes takes a look at who has put their hand up for a spot at the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

READ ???? https://t.co/oKq6jttoTe pic.twitter.com/VxgTrWd9HK

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) 25 November 2018