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You don't pick Handre Pollard to score tries
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All Blacks player ratings vs Italy | Nations Championship 2026
at Sky Stadium, Wellington
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Round 2 of the Nations Championship kicked off in Wellington, and a gruelling, tight opening half made way for a second-half breakout from the All Blacks.
Italy’s defence resisted for a huge number of phases, but a historic hat-trick to Will Jordan saw the winger become the All Blacks’ all-time leading try-scorer as his team ran away with the lead.
The 47-17 win gives the All Blacks a two-from-two record to begin the Dave Rennie era, keeping them in the running for Nations Championship glory.
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Here’s how the Kiwis rated.
1. Ethan de Groot – 7.5
Both All Blacks props struggled to keep their feet in the scrum, but De Groot was a physical force across the park, and his 47th-minute try was a fair reward for his efforts.
2. Codie Taylor – 7
Taylor conceded a few penalties early but threw to the lineout well and was one of his side’s best at moving bodies around the ruck.
3. Tyrel Lomax – 7.5
In his 50th Test, Lomax got his hands on the ball early and had some of New Zealand’s most muscular carries, driving through the Italian defence. It wasn’t the tighthead’s most convincing performance at scrum time.
4. Sam Darry – 8.5
After impressing in the France win with four dominant tackles and a huge workload around the rucks, Darry produced more of the same against Italy. The lock provided the power to finish New Zealand’s first try. Was as effective as ever when clearing bodies. The All Blacks’ defensive work at lineout time was largely outclassed by Italy.
5. Tupou Vaa’i – 7
The Chiefs lock was back in black after a delayed start to his 2026 Test campaign, and the attacking lineout looked better with him in the mix. had some abrasive carries without dominating the collision, and the same could be said for his impact around the ruck.
6. Wallace Sititi – 7
Dangerous in the wide channels, ducking and darting through gaps to generate consistent go-forward. However, had a rough first half defensively, giving away penalties and losing some collisions. Looked more settled in the second half, and kept providing X-factor with the ball in hand.
7. Luke Jacobson – 7
Accurate with good timing when rushing up defensively, but wasn’t attached well enough to the scrum when Tyrel Lomax conceded his 36th-minute penalty. Had one strong carry down the right flank without providing a prominent gainline presence with the ball in hand. Wasn’t asked to tackle much at all in his 40 minutes.
8. Ardie Savea – 8
Consistently involved across the park, Savea was one of New Zealand’s biggest contributors on both sides of the ball. You can’t argue that the No.8 is a natural fit as captain.
9. Cam Roigard – 8.5
The halfback’s 92 passes last week were comfortably the most of any player in round 1, and Roigard followed that up with 63 in the first half alone in Wellington. He’s certainly the focal point of the All Blacks’ attack, and was trying everything other than kicking to get his team going.
10. Ruben Love – 7
Could have offered his playmaking services more when the Italian defence was proving too resilient, but instead took a backseat and left the more dynamic game-driving to Cam Roigard and Damian McKenzie. The young first five’s decision-making was a contributor to the All Blacks’ clunky attack early, but his mental resilience deserves credit, and he found more of a rhythm in the last 30 minutes.
11. Leroy Carter – 7
Showed his typical industrious intent in his 31 minutes on the park, getting involved in the tough work. Couldn’t move Menoncello when the Italian midfielder was over the ball, but delivered a try assist just before leaving the field.
12. Jordie Barrett – 8
Perhaps New Zealand’s best rush defender, Barrett delivered the timing and execution Dave Rennie was asking for after the France win. Produced some big moments, like winning back a restart, putting through the grubber kick that led to Will Jordan’s first try and delivering the wide ball that assisted Jordan’s third.
13. Billy Proctor – 8
Proctor was handed a swift awakening to the threat of Menoncello when the Italian powered past him to score the opening try of the game, and then won a breakdown penalty by beating Proctor to the mark. From that point on, the centre settled into his work and provided his usual restless work rate, hitting as many breakdowns as a back can be expected to.
14. Will Jordan – 8.5
The history-maker. Jordan grew into the game after a subpar start, during which he spilled two high balls, the latter of which led directly to the first Italian try. Had some good moments towards the end of the opening half, keeping the ball in field on an Italian clearance that led to a Kiwi counterattack, finishing a 29th-minute try and winning a breakdown penalty. Quickfire tries in the 50th and 51st minutes were met with a huge roar from the Wellington faithful as Doug Howlett’s long-standing record of 49 tries in the black jersey was broken.
15. Damian McKenzie – 8
Was highly involved in New Zealand’s attack, suiting the extra space afforded to him by operating in the fullback position.
Reserves
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho – 7.5
Had some powerful moments with the ball in hand.
17. George Bower – 7
18. Pasilio Tosi – 7
19. Josh Lord – 7
20. Anton Segner – 8
Got through a mountain of work in his minutes, rewarding the faith shown in him with a highly promising debut.
21. Cortez Ratima – 7
Fast service and a couple of darting carries.
22. Anton Lienert-Brown – 7
23. Josh Moorby – 8.5
A stellar debut for the birthday boy, who was involved in plenty of game-breaking moments for his side throughout 49 minutes of play. Led the game in linebreaks and try assists.
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