'I'm worried': Italy coach describes 'new energy' in Rennie's All Blacks

Italy head coach Gonzalo Quesada says he is “worried” about the All Blacks under counterpart Dave Rennie, noting a “new energy” building in the New Zealand team after falling to a 47-17 defeat to them in Wellington.

Italy struck first in the match, and captain Michele Lamaro said he was pleased to see his side compete with the hosts throughout a first half that featured plenty of carries in tight, but added that a second-half strategy that brought more width into the Kiwis’ attack broke the staunch Italian defence.

Quesada said “the All Blacks absolutely deserved the win; they played an amazing game”, while feeling his team would need to address some shortcomings in their kick strategy and fitness.

The latter point was further highlighted when the coach and captain reflected on the hard-fought 29-11 All Blacks win in Turin in 2024, with Lamaro remembering the game as Italy taking advantage of a “very tired” All Blacks squad in the final game of their season.

This time, the boot was on the other foot, with Italy entering the final week of their season and managing fatigue. But Lamaro claimed a corner had been turned in the Turin Test, with Italy feeling they were in a position to compete against an All Blacks team they have yet to beat.

Points Flow Chart

New Zealand win +30

Time in lead

53

Mins in lead

18

65%

% Of Game In Lead

22%

70%

Possession Last 10 min

30%

7

Points Last 10 min

0

The All Blacks who Quesada and company faced in Turin, however, were led by Scott Robertson, who was let go in January in favour of Dave Rennie, with the new coach now beginning his first season at the All Blacks’ helm.

“It’s only the second game for Dave and his new staff, but what I can tell you is that I know some of the people on that staff and I’m worried,” Quesada told reporters after the final whistle at Hnry Stadium.

“I think this All Blacks team is amazingly coached, and when you have good coaches that are good people — I was telling Tana Umaga before the game, that when I see their coaching staff, knowing some of the guys there, it’s not only good coaches but good people, and good people inspire players, and when you have so much talent like the All Blacks have today, and I think the world will be moving forward too, but in this new staff, you can feel a nice energy.

“But I don’t see a lot of difference from the style of play that they had two years ago. I think they are working on that, and today I think the big difference was that they were fresher than us, that they took far more of the opportunities that they had, and that a couple of years ago, as Michele said, it was the end of the season for them as it is now for us, and we had a better level of energy to compete and it was a better score.

“But it’s tough to compare, in only his second game, and with how hard (the sceptics) can be. It was tough for our squad.

“I think Scott Robertson is an amazing coach, too. He’s a great man and a great coach. It was tough to see how things went, but now you can see that this staff is creating a new energy, and I think the All Blacks will be one of the toughest, biggest contenders to be the best team in the world again.”