12 January, 2026, 9:21 am Central - 26°C Rain

New Zealand 96-17 Italy: All Blacks move to cusp of Rugby World Cup quarter-finals

New Zealand 96-17 Italy: All Blacks move to cusp of Rugby World Cup quarter-finals

By Alipate Narawa
30/09/2023
Aaron Smith goes over for his hat-trick. Photograph: David Rogers/Getty Images

Superb New Zealand scored an incredible 14 tries and hit 96 points against Italy in Pool A to move to the cusp of the World Cup quarter-finals.

Knowing a defeat would see them eliminated, the All Blacks raced into a pulsating 49-3 half-time lead.

They ultimately ran out 96-17 victors with scrum-half Aaron Smith scoring a hat-trick after just 33 minutes.

The All Blacks will guarantee a spot in the knockouts with a win over Uruguay in their final pool match on Thursday.

Italy must beat hosts France in their next match to reach a first World Cup quarter-final.

The All Blacks' win sees them jump up to second in Pool A, level on points with Italy who they now have a superior head-to-head record over.


DateTimeTeamTeam

Source: BBC


FNRL
FEATURE NEWS
Heavy Rain Alert remains in force for Fiji
A Heavy Rain Alert remains in force for the whole of Fiji.The Nadi Weather Office says a slow-moving trough of low pressure lies over the country.It i...
1 hour ago
LATEST NEWS
Trump tells Cuba to make a deal, before it is too late
Donald Trump has urged Cuba to make a deal or face consequences, warning that the flow of Venezuelan oil and money would now stop.The BBC reports ...
12 minutes ago

Poetry and culture take centre stage during World Hindi Day celebrations
The Indian High Commission in Fiji hosted a vibrant poetry recital, essay awards, and cultural programs to mark World Hindi Day, celebrating the ...
30 minutes ago

Heavy Rain Alert remains in force for Fiji
A Heavy Rain Alert remains in force for the whole of Fiji.The Nadi Weather Office says a slow-moving trough of low pressure lies over the country.It ...
1 hour ago

Two women to appear in court over alleged burglary and theft
Two women arrested in connection with alleged burglary and theft offences in Nadi and Lautoka last week have been charged with one count of burglary ...
2 hours ago

Eroni Daunibau puts children’s education first priority
Eroni Daunibau says one of his key responsibilities as a father is ensuring that his three children’s school needs are prepared before the school ...
2 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Electricity tariff increase for users consuming more than 100 units
There is an increase in the electricity tariff rate for consumers using more than 100 units from 1 January next year.Fijian Competition and Consumer ...
10 days ago

Fiji needs to act on human trafficking indicators associated with Grace Road Group
The United States remains deeply concerned about indicators of trans-national organised crime and human trafficking in Fiji associated with the Grace ...
21 days ago

Cheap seed oils are not good for our health - O'Neill
With over 80 percent of deaths in Fiji caused by cardiovascular disease based on the 2011 report, naturopath and nutritionist Barbara O’Neill is ...
21 days ago

TOP