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November 15, 2009

Posted on 11/15/2009

All Blacks: Forwards exposed by fiery Italians

The All Blacks' scrum was taught a lesson by Martin Castrogiovani and friends in the San Siro, according to Gregor Paul in The New Zealand Herald.

"Wyatt Crockett had a big fork stuck in him by Martin Castrogiovani. The big Italian prop, looking more like a base player from a grunge band, educated young Crockett in the ways of the dark arts.

"It was man versus boy. It was car meeting truck. It was really quite hard to watch at times. In the last five minutes the Italians were toying with the All Blacks. Down they'd slam and the All Blacks would crumple. On it would go until Neemia Tialata was sent to the bin. The Italians could only wonder why they weren't awarded a penalty try. They deserved one. They deserved something more for the control they were exerting.

"From the scrum, the Italians drew inspiration. It gave them the confidence to attack the All Black forwards at the collision. It gave them the confidence to work the rolling maul and they were effective. It's a different game in these parts and the All Blacks will face more of the same against England and France."

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