New Zealand's players have been lambasted by their coaching staff after struggling to a 27-6 triumph over Italy.
Coaches and captain left frustrated by performance against Azzurri
New Zealand have been lambasted by their coaching staff after struggling to a 27-6 triumph over Italy in their final match before the Tri-Nations series gets underway on July 18.
Joe Rokocoko, Isaac Ross and George Whitelock scored the tries at Lancaster Park, with fly-half Luke McAlister adding three conversions and two penalties.
It was the lowest score the All Blacks had posted against the Italians in 10 Tests and just the second time they had failed to score more than 50 points.
Captain Mils Muliaina and coach Graham Henry were visibly fuming and assistant coach Steve Hansen has voiced some of that frustration.
Anger
"The only positive thing we can say about it is that we didn't get any more injuries," Hansen said.
"It was very disappointing. The execution was poor, decision making poor and we just weren't effective across the park."
Muliaina and his team-mates received a dressing down by coach Henry at half-time and the skipper, who was visibly haranguing his side throughout the match, admitted the performance was simply not good enough.
"We put a lot of pressure on ourselves by trying to run it from everywhere and that probably reflected in the score at half-time," Muliaina said.
"There were a lot of opportunities there but we just didn't execute and it's very disappointing."
Contrast
Italy full-back Luke McLean scored his side's points with a penalty in each half, meanwhile, and coach Nick Mallett was pleased with the way his emerging side competed.
"Everything has to be taken into perspective. Italy is a small rugby nation...and to come on a tour like this, Australia, Australia, New Zealand, and to concede just an average of 30 points in each game is a fantastic effort," he said.
"I'm incredibly proud of them. The coaching staff were very happy with the way we hung in there.
"It was a dry night, dry ball and a very good attacking New Zealand side. We got beaten by 70 points in the World Cup so we had a lot of pride to get back.
"Conceding 13 points in the first half and 14 in the second, I'm very happy with that."
