TURIN, Italy, 
– New Zealand laboured to a 29-11 win over a brave, battling Italy on Saturday as the All Blacks wrapped up their autumn series with a less than impressive victory where the anticipated try-fest failed to materialise.
The visitors had been expected to take out their disappointment from the loss to France last weekend on an Italian side which had struggled in recent games, losing heavily to Argentina and getting a comeback win over Georgia.
Instead, it was Italy who looked the better side at the start, taking a 6-3 lead early on before New Zealand finally found two tries from Cam Roigard and Will Jordan, both converted by Beauden Barrett, to go in 17-6 up at the break.
Italy again came out stronger, camping out on the All Blacks’ line but failing to make it count and the second half was 30 minutes old before Mark Tele’a’s try increased the visitors’ lead, with Tommaso Menoncello then going over for Italy before a late Barrett try.
Italy had never beaten New Zealand in their previous 16 meetings and Saturday’s showing was a marked improvement on their 96-17 defeat at last year’s World Cup, as they proved more than a match for a strong and experienced All Blacks side for long periods.
The opening 10 minutes saw most of the play in New Zealand’s half. Italy opened the scoring with a Paolo Garbisi penalty and he put them back in front after Barrett knocked over his penalty.
New Zealand were down to 14 men after 20 minutes after a yellow card for captain Scott Barrett but they still managed to score the opening try with Roigard selling a dummy and slipping a tackle before diving over.