Will Jordan breaks All Blacks try-scoring record in 47-17 win over Italy

New Zealand wing Will Jordan’s try-scoring hat-trick to become the All Blacks' highest try-scorer in Tests capped a match-turning 12 minutes in the third quarter as they beat Italy 47-17 at Wellington in their Nations Championship on Saturday.

Jordan finished on 50 tries, in 56 Test matches, to knock the stuffing out of an Italy side that again scored the first try in the third minute, and who tested the home side in rare fashion to be well in the game down 10-14 at halftime.

In the process, the All Blacks discarded two of their problems in recent years, their poor performances in Wellington, and in the third quarter of Tests.

If Jordan scored the tries, second five-eighths Jordie Barrett could claim a share in each of them, in an impressive display of control and guidance that produced opportunities aplenty.

It was also a night on which debuts were made by wing Josh Moorby, who was on the field in the first half early after Leroy Carter suffered a shoulder injury, and flanker Anton Segner, who played all of the second half. Both played impressively.

They needed to, as Italy confirmed their advance in the game by testing the All Blacks to the end.

Italy strikes first in fast Wellington start

Classy Italy second five-eighths Tommaso Menoncello made an early impact after Jordan lost the ball forward in the tackle. Italy swung the ball wide, where Menoncello beat the tackle attempt by centre Billy Proctor, then passed out to wing Malik Faissal, who returned the ball for Menoncello to score in the third minute.

Sam Darry responds as All Blacks grind their way back

The All Blacks replied through their forwards by attempting to drive through the middle, winning penalties in the process, and it was lock Sam Darry who finally got the ball on the line in the seventh minute to level the scores.

Italy recovered from kicking the restart out on the full, and worked the ball through combined passing rushes and missed a try chance when the ball held up in the All Blacks' in-goal area. But they regained the lead via fullback Tommaso Allan’s penalty goal after 20 minutes.

The All Blacks were not helping themselves through their mistakes; hooker Codie Taylor was called for being in front of the restart, and flanker Wallace Sititi handling the ball in a counter ruck. Taylor was later penalised for a neck roll at a ruck.

Will Jordan delivers before halftime

However, the further the half went, the more desperate Italy became, resulting in handling and penalty mistakes that allowed the All Blacks to get into their 22m area. But it was a long Italian downfield kick that fell to fullback Damian McKenzie that resulted in the second All Blacks try. He brought the ball forward to link with Love, who passed out for Jordan and Sititi to handle before second five-eighths Jordie Barrett kicked the ball ahead.

Italy failed to control the ball, which was tapped forward and regathered by Leroy Carter, who then passed infield for right wing Will Jordan to score his 48th Test try. Carter then left the field following an earlier shoulder injury to be replaced by Moorby, who was quick to show his speed.

Roigard sparks perfect second-half start

Jordan’s handling ability with a pass from Love enabled him to feed Moorby, who ran into space, cut back and found Roigard in support. Roigard pulled off a sidestep to beat the last defender to score 75 seconds into the second half.

Italy unleashed two strong assaults on the All Blacks line, but the defence held, and after an attempted kick ahead by Italy, the ball rebounded to Barrett, who kicked ahead for Moorby to run through on to the ball quickly to take it to the line. Several drives were made before it was prop Ethan de Groot who crossed.

Jordan's hat-trick rewrites All Blacks history

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Barrett was involved again two minutes later when running the short side to tidy play and feed Moorby down the sideline before unloading to Jordan to score. Having equalled the All Black Test try-scoring record held by Doug Howlett, Jordan claimed the record for himself, courtesy of a Love tap kick penalty which saw Barrett providing a long pass to Jordan with only one man to beat to claim the record for himself.

Italy refuses to fade despite red card

Italy gained some reward for its pressure game, even if without lock Niccolo Cannone, who hit Roigard on the head at a breakdown and was sin-binned with an upgrade to a red card. It was replacement fullback Leonard Marin who scored with 24 minutes left to play.

As both sides looked to get their benches involved, the play lost its shape and scoring dropped off. But there was an unusual sight when it appeared Love may have conceded his second yellow card in two Tests, this time for a knock-down at an intercept attempt. After Love departed, the TMO then found the Italians knocked the ball on before the intercept effort, so Love was recalled.

But as the clock ticked down, the All Blacks regained their rhythm, and when putting together 17 phases as the final hooter went, they saw lock Tupou Vaa’i cross for the final try.

Scorers: New Zealand 47 (Sam Darry, Will Jordan, Cam Roigard 3, Ethan de Groot, Tupou Vaa’i tries; Ruben Love 6 con) Italy 17 ( Tommaso Menoncello, Leonardo Marin tries; Tommaso Allan con, pen; Alessandro Garbisi con). HT: 14-10