Rugby - Ten-try All Blacks smash Italy to wrap up European tour

Rugby - Ten-try All Blacks smash Italy to wrap up European tour
Rugby Union - Italy v New Zealand - Stadio Olimpico, Rome, Italy - November 24, 2018 New Zealand players celebrate after the match REUTERS/Alessandro Bianchi Copyright ALESSANDRO BIANCHI(Reuters)
Copyright ALESSANDRO BIANCHI(Reuters)
By Reuters
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ROME (Reuters) - New Zealand smashed Italy 66-3 in Rome on Saturday, finishing their European tour with an 10-try romp and leaving coach Steve Hansen with plenty to consider as he looks to settle on a squad to defend their World Cup title next year.

Hansen retained just four players from the starting team that lost to Ireland last week, and a few of his new picks took full advantage of the opportunity.

Winger Jordie Barrett scored four tries and man-of-the-match Damian McKenzie, whose selection at fullback has been questioned by rugby pundits at home, scored three.

Fly-half Beauden Barrett, seldom under the kind of pressure he felt last week in Dublin, also scored a try before being substituted in the second half. He opened up the Italians with sharp passing and some clever kicks, including one that picked out his high-flying brother Jordie to score in the corner.

(Reporting by Mark Bendeich; editing by Tony Lawrence)

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