Italy 10 New Zealand 59 Perhaps what was most depressing about this one-sided affair was the Italian reaction to their only try. Mauro Bergamasco's 79th-minute score led to a standing ovation, followed a few minutes later by a pitch invasion in which the ringleted flanker was carried shoulder-high through an adoring crowd, before the tifosi turned their attention to Jonah Lomu, chanting his name as fervently as they had yelled "I-tal-ia" before kick-off.
The extraordinary final moments merely underlined that this could have been a stunning occasion in front of a sell-out crowd.
The locals turned up in force but unfortunately their team were elsewhere, never more so than in the first eight minutes when they handed the game to the visitors by gifting tries to the debutant centre Conrad Smith, the first-time out-half Daniel Carter and the searing full-back Mils Muliaina.
La Gazzetta dello Sport made much of the fact that the All Black pack could shove aside the weight of two Fiat Puntos, but in power terms the azzurri were more like a Vespa, with the engine removed.
Non-existent tackling, basic errors, a lack of control and inability to marshal the defence enabled the All Blacks to run in five tries before the break and four after, while throwing away another four or five chances through errors probably born of over-confidence.
New Zealand coach Graham Henry awarded his players seven out of 10 for their performance.
"This is the first time this group have played together, for some of them it's the first time they have played for four or five weeks," he said afterwards.
"They need time together. The desire was great, the implementation was not as good."
For Wales, reading this match as they prepare to meet the New Zealanders on Saturday will be as easy as deciphering Italian town-centre signposts, although one thing was clear: the All Blacks remain as potent as ever when given turnover ball.
The Italian forwards made their Kiwi counterparts looked devastating in the scrums and driving mauls, while the makeshift, youthful Italian back line was clearly weakened after the late withdrawal of the centres Andrea Masi and Gonzalo Canale and the disappearance of Alessandro Troncon after he was denied the captaincy.
Smith found ample space on his debut at centre, as did his infinitely more seasoned partner Tana Umaga, and Richie McCaw was the pick of the pack, while Daniel Carter showed effervescent form on his debut at number 10, having switched from inside-centre. The outhalf certainly had his coach purring.
"We were very impressed with how he played today," said Henry. "He has a huge amount of talent. With the exception of those two missed kicks (conversions) I don't think he made a mistake. His general play was excellent. He broke well, passed well, kicked well. We're very satisfied."
Carlos Spencer may have been absent through injury, but speculation that Carter will be Henry's choice in the long-term is inevitable. Against Wales, however, the 22-year-old will have far less ball and far more pressure to deal with, while his true test may well come against Serge Betsen in 12 days.
Looking ahead to the Wales Test, Henry said: He said: "There will be a few changes, but they won't be wholesale changes."
ITALY: Robertson; Nitoglia, Barbini, Pozzebon (Orquera 53), Pratichetti (Peens 67); Wakarua, Griffen ( Travagli 80); Lo Cicero, Ongaro (Intoppa 75), Perugini (Costanzo 51), Bortolami (capt), Dellape (Pavanello 51), Persico (Orlando 55), Mauro Bergamasco, Dal Maso.
NEW ZEALAND: Muliaina; Gear (Nonu 52), Smith, Umaga (capt, Bates 67), Rokocoko; Carter, Kelleher (Cowan 64); Taumoepeau (Somerville 71), Oliver (Flynn 71), Hayman, Jack, Maxwell (Williams, 48), Collins, McCaw (Mauger 67), Tuiali'i.
Referee: J Jutge (France).
