All Blacks: Italy proud to keep score down

Italy captain Sergio Parisse predicts a clash of styles when the All Blacks host Australia in the opening Tri-Nations rugby test next month.

The skipper described his pride at restricting New Zealand to their lowest score in 10 lost tests between the nations.

Parisse said their last meeting, the "nightmare" 76-14 humbling during the 2007 World Cup at Marseille, had served as motivation for his team, who tackled like terriers.

They missed their fair share of tackles - 27 to the All Blacks' three - but shut down most of the hosts' breaks and lived off their numerous mistakes.

Italy lost their two tests in Australia by 23 and 22 points so made another fractional improvement with last night's 21-point defeat.

He said the playing approach of the transtasman rivals was stark.

"Maybe the Australian team was more conservative. They don't play in their 22 like New Zealand today," Parisse said.

"Their [Wallabies] kicking game was better. New Zealand are very difficult to play because the speed is very difficult. We had a good defence, we tackled well. That's why the scoreboard was like this.

"At the World Cup, it was a nightmare. We wanted to show this Italian rugby team can play better rugby. I'm very proud of them."

Coach Nick Mallett was equally delighted.

He made no apology for the kick-first style that rarely saw the ball go along the Azzurri backline but kept disorganised All Blacks in their half.

Even near the end his players were attempting dropped goals to reduce the margin rather than chasing tries.

"Before you can go for wins, you've got to get close. When you lose by 70 points, you're not even close are you?" Mallett said.

"We're not going to come out and play the All Blacks off the park. That would be absolutely ridiculous to think that Italy is capable of doing that.

"But we certainly are capable of making life difficult and unpleasant.

"The All Blacks had to work hard for every try they scored and that's my job as national coach, to make sure the opposition find it difficult to beat us."

- NZPA