Fourteen-try New Zealand trounce Italy at Rugby World Cup
Scrum-half Aaron Smith scored a hat-trick of tries as New Zealand laid down a statement of intent with a 96-17 blitzing of a hapless Italy at the Rugby World Cup on Friday.
Sam Whitelock Sport News
New Zealand hammer sorry Italy to close in on World Cup quarter-finals
LYON, France : Three-time champions New Zealand ran in 14 tries to destroy Italy 96-17 for a bonus-point victory in Pool A and take a decisive step towards the quarter-finals at the Rugby World Cup on Friday.
New Zealand close on World Cup quarter-final spot with 14-try mauling of Italy
New Zealand lit the touchpaper on their Rugby World Cup campaign with a 14-try hammering of Italy.
Whitelock still setting the standards as All Blacks prepare for Italy
LYON, France: New Zealand have flown under the radar at the World Cup since their opening loss to France but Brodie Retallick on Thursday gave a glimpse into a competitive team culture that makes it foolhardy to write off their chances of a fourth title.
NZ recall quartet after injury, Whitelock to win 149th cap off bench
LYON, France : Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell, Tyrel Lomax and Jordie Barrett will all make their return from injury for New Zealand in Friday's key Pool A clash against Italy with Sam Whitelock set to win a record 149th cap off the bench.
All Blacks make 9 changes, hand Whitelock record-equalling cap
New Zealand announced nine changes to their starting lineup to face Namibia on Friday in their second Pool A match of the Rugby World Cup after losing to France in the tournament's opening game.
All Blacks left to plot course through uncharted waters
PARIS : World Cup winners Sam Whitelock, Aaron Smith and Beauden Barrett are confident New Zealand will bounce back from their opening loss to France, but all are united in thinking that discipline has to improve.
Lienert-Brown in as All Blacks make three changes for France opener
PARIS : Anton Lienert-Brown replaced the injured Jordie Barrett at inside centre in one of three changes to the New Zealand starting side for the World Cup opener against hosts France on Friday.