Will Jordan’s record try haul can’t hide All Blacks’ growing pains in Rennie’s new era

In a match that felt more like a progress report than a statement win, the All Blacks edged past Italy 47-17 in Turin on Saturday, with Will Jordan becoming New Zealand’s all-time leading try scorer. But beneath the surface of a seven-tries-to-two victory, coach Dave Rennie’s side showed signs of a team still finding its identity — a reality that will test their ambitions against Ireland next week.

Jordan’s hat-trick brought his career tally to 50 tries, surpassing Doug Howlett’s long-standing record. The 34,500-strong crowd, many of them families enjoying an early kickoff under the Matariki sky, gave him a standing ovation. Yet as Rennie himself noted this week, 37 of those tries have come from the wing — a position Jordan now seems destined to own, given his blistering form: five tries in two tests this July.

But the All Blacks’ first-half performance was a reminder that individual brilliance alone won’t carry a team through a World Cup cycle. Italy, missing several first-choice players and coming off losses to Japan and Wales, defended with discipline and line speed, stifling New Zealand’s attack. The hosts struggled to generate go-forward, and their ruck speed lagged behind last week’s crisp display under the Christchurch roof. Basic errors, wayward passes, and scrum issues plagued the opening 40 minutes.

“The first half was frustrating,” Rennie said after the match. “We didn’t execute the basics, and Italy’s defence was well organized. But the second half showed what we’re capable of when we click.”

And click they did. A 24-point third-quarter blitz — four tries in 15 minutes — broke Italy’s resolve. Debutant Kaleb Moorby, a 28-year-old who has traversed from Southland to Northland, Montpellier, and back to the Hurricanes, sparked the revival with a break that set up Cam Roigard’s try. Anton Segner, the first German-born All Black, made his entrance from the bench in the second half, his parents watching from Frankfurt.

Yet the match also exposed lingering flaws. The All Blacks failed to score from the 54th minute until Tupou Vaa’i’s try in added time. Italy’s back row competed fiercely at the breakdown, and Tommaso Menoncello’s opening try in the first minute highlighted defensive lapses. A red card to lock Niccolò Cannone for a headbutt on Roigard ended any hope of an Italian fightback, but the scoreline flattered the visitors.

“We’re a work in progress,” Rennie acknowledged. “The cohesion and clinical skills need to improve. But we’re seeing growth in the younger players, and that’s encouraging.”

With Ireland looming at Eden Park next week, the All Blacks face a far sterner test. Ireland’s structured defense and attacking flair will punish the kind of inaccuracies that Italy couldn’t fully exploit. For Rennie, the challenge is clear: turn promise into consistency.

What does Will Jordan’s record mean for the All Blacks’ backline?

Jordan’s shift to the wing has unlocked his try-scoring potential, but it also raises questions about the fullback position. With Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett vying for the No. 15 jersey, Rennie’s preference for Jordan on the wing seems settled — at least for now. His ability to finish from distance and read the game makes him a weapon, but the All Blacks need more variety in attack to keep defenses guessing.

How did the new players perform?

Moorby’s debut was a bright spot, his anticipation and pace adding a new dimension. Segner’s introduction as the first German-born All Black is a milestone for diversity in New Zealand rugby. But both rookies will need more game time to prove their durability at test level.

What are the key takeaways for Rennie’s project?

The All Blacks’ defense improved from last week’s tense win over France, and the second-half surge showed their attacking ceiling. But the first-half struggles against a depleted Italy side suggest that Rennie’s system is still being embedded. The Ireland test will be the real measure of progress.

“We’re building something,” Rennie said. “But we need to be honest about where we are. Ireland will expose any weaknesses.”

For now, the All Blacks can celebrate Jordan’s historic achievement. But the Matariki reflection Rennie spoke of will likely focus on the work still to be done.