Page 10 - Codie Taylor News Today

LYON – It was four years ago that the All Blacks’ Pool C fixture against Italy in Japan was canned because of a typhoon.…

We preview and offer a prediction for the crunch Rugby World Cup Pool A clash between New Zealand and Italy which takes place in Lyon on Friday.

New Zealand put a foot in the Rugby World Cup quarterfinals after tearing apart Italy 96-17 with 14 tries in a phenomenal performance on Friday. The All Blacks had to beat the Italians to stay in contention for the knockout stage and overwhelmed them in the set-pieces and sliced them up wider out. “I didn't see that game coming to that extent,” All Blacks coach Ian Foster said.

LYON – It was four years ago that the All Blacks’ Pool C fixture against Italy in Japan was canned because of a typhoon.…

New Zealand must beat Italy to progress

The All Blacks know Italy are a genuine threat in Saturday morning's key World Cup Pool A clash and will wait until after the match to celebrate Sam Whitelock becoming the most-capped All Black.

Sam Whitelock is set to break the New Zealand Test appearances record he shares with Richie McCaw after head coach Ian Foster on Wednesday named him on the bench to face Italy at the World Cup.

Fabien Galthié’s men scored two second-half tries to finish over the top of the Kiwis.

Fabien Galthié’s men scored two second-half tries to finish over the top of the Kiwis.

New Zealand will go into Saturday's (NZT) Rugby World Cup opening game with France looking for speed in the loose with captain Sam Cane and Dalton Papali'i named on the flanks of the scrum.