'They smelt it': Scott Robertson says Italy sensed All Blacks' vulnerability

Scott Roberton admitted the All Blacks‘ mindset was “slightly off” as a resolute Italian side rose to the challenge in Turin to put the All Blacks under the pump.

A shakey first 20 minutes full of errors from both sides saw Italy take a 6-3 lead as the visitors set-piece and breakdown came up the blowtorch.

The Italian pack disrupted throws at the lineout and made a mess of the ruck to create stops in the momentum before a piece of magic from Cam Roigard gave New Zealand some breathing room.

Up 10-6 another strike to Will Jordan on half-time created a buffer heading into the second half but it took until the 70th minute to find the next score.

“That’s why we named the team we did,” Robertson said after the win to Sky Sport NZ. 

“When they’re on, they’re on. They are physical. They, you know, a 65 metre field with a little bit of a grease on that. They got double shoulders on us.

“Our mindset was slightly off. They smelt it.

“We found a way in this one. We showed a lot of composure. The set-piece went to work. And just good, big moments put pressure back on them.”

The scrum was one of the shining lights for the All Blacks, winning seven penalties to release pressure and win field position.

Two try assists from Beauden Barrett and his night cap try 90 seconds from full-time finished off the Italians.

The All Blacks finished their first year under Scott Robertson with 10 wins and four losses for a return of 71 per cent, although crucially lost the Rugby Championship trophy for the first time since 2019.

“We’ve had three games won on small moments. Big moments in Test matches could’ve gone the other way,” he said reflecting on the season.

“Look, I’m so proud of the mindset and the growth of the group. We done so much to play some unbelievable footy, but test footy is about key moments, making the right decisions and finding a way, we just haven’t quite got that.

“It’s a tight group off and on the field, and we are just that far away. I’m learning. We’re learning. And we are getting better.”