Fearless under the high ball but not always dependable, and was guilty of making a couple of simple errors – although he did step things up in the second half with some testing runs. Far from his best.
Sevu Reece – 5
Did some good workto get to the breakdown quickly and counteract the strong Italian counter-ruck. Had some good moments with ball in hand later in the piece and scored a try.
Had a very scratchy start with some handling and execution errors in the early minutes, then was kept quiet for the rest of his 58-minute stint.
Quinn Tupaea - 5
Much the same has his midfield partner, Tupaea struggled with execution both in terms of handling and his decision-making. At times was guilty of trying to do a little too much, but had some good moments in the second half.
Had some promising moments throughout but was constantly at the mercy of the ball being put down before it could get to him on the wing.
George Bridge takes a run against Italy. Photo / AP
Richie Mo'unga - 5
Did not appear to adjust or control the attack when the Italian rush defence was causing it problems early and, aside from exploiting the tiring Italians late, didn't really stamp his mark on the game.
Brad Weber - 5
Was active early and his service was quick, although his impact on the game was limited after he was taken from the field for a head injury assessment 15 minutes in and did not return.
Hoskins Sotutu - 5
Got up to disrupt the opposition lineout, made some good runs off the back of the scrum and got over the ball at the breakdown.
While his team might not have been on song, Cane looked like he hadn't missed a beat as he was a workhorse at the breakdown and led the team with his work defensively.
Luke Jacobson – 6
A return to the blindside didn't do any harm to his stocks in a less than ideal team performance. He contested the lineout well and was a force at the breakdown.
Josh Lord - 6
Played with the energy of someone wanting to make their mark, challenging at the lineout, making important tackles and working hard at the breakdown. A solid effort in his first start.
Tupou Vaa'i - 4
Called the lineout nicely and got his hands on the ball a number of times in the attack, but was another who often tried to do a little too much with very little success.
Tyrel Lomax - 6
Strong at the scrum and defended well. He also charged hard and straight with ball in hand, and was active in cleaning out the breakdown. A bright spot in a dull team performance.
Dane Coles - 7
After a frustrating opening stanza, he took it upon himself to lift the team – scoring two tries in the first half and leading the way at the breakdown. A real display of leadership.
Dane Coles scored two tries from lineout drives. Photo / AP
George Bower – 6
Disciplined and strong on the defensive side of the ball and stoic at the scrum, though the intensity of the game appeared to take its toll early in the second half.
Reserves: Asafo Aumua - 7 Ethan de Groot - 6 Ofa Tuungafasi - 6 Samuel Whitelock - 6 Shannon Frizell - 5 Finlay Christie – 7 David Havili - 6 Jordie Barrett - 5
