New Zealand Defeats Italy 47-17 as Will Jordan Sets Record

New Zealand defeated Italy 47-17 in a Nations Championship match at Wellington Regional Stadium on Saturday. Will Jordan scored three tries to become the team's all-time leading try-scorer with 50 in 56 Tests, one more than Doug Howlett's previous record. New Zealand scored seven tries in the match.

Sam Darry, Cam Roigard, Ethan de Groot and Tupou Vaa'i each scored once alongside Jordan's hat-trick. Italy replied with tries from Tommaso Menoncello and Leonardo Marin. Italy took an early 10-0 lead through Menoncello's try.

New Zealand responded with scores from Darry and Jordan to lead 14-10 at half-time. Roigard, de Groot and Jordan then pushed the margin to 33-10. Niccolo Cannone received a red card in the 51st minute after the television match official upgraded a yellow card for headbutting Roigard.

Jordan added his record third try after the dismissal, and Vaa'i scored New Zealand's seventh try late in the match. Jordan said after the game: "It's special. I think back to when I was a kid, practising my chip-and-chase in the back yard.

To think I'd be here today, it's hugely humbling. " New Zealand had opened the tournament with a 34-32 win over France the previous week. Italy had lost 27-10 to Japan in its opening match. Dave Rennie is New Zealand's coach, and Jordan made his New Zealand debut in 2020.

The Nations Championship is a 12-team tournament.