KEY POINTS:
MARSEILLE - Even when speaking through an interpreter, it was obvious Italy coach Pierre Berbizier was lost for accolades as he reflected on a ruinous 14-76 loss to the All Blacks here yesterday.
"It wasn't really a match, there was a great difference between the teams," was Berbizier's succinct first summation, after his team emerged from the furnace of playing the world's No 1 ranked team.
"A small Italian team discovered the level needed in this competition.
"I'm not sure there was any point we were in the game."
Statistics showed Italy ended with better territory and possession figures, but that counted for little as the All Blacks' high skill level meant they were a threat from anywhere on Stade Velodrome - with or without the ball.
"It is a very important we bounce back, this is a lesson to draw from.
"This is exactly what we expected from such a great team," he said.
"This has been a great experience for all of us and shows us what we need to do to improve our play."
The Italian starting 15 featured just four changes from the side who were unlucky to lose 20-23 to a strong Irish side in Belfast last month.
Yet they were blown away in the first 20 minutes by a comprehensive All Blacks display, conceding five tries and 38 points without reply.
Captain Marco Bortolami agreed his team simply weren't switched on as they should have been.
"The beginning of the match was very difficult, it was clear there was a mental problem," he said.
"It was clear that our play was too passive ... obviously there was something wrong here.
"On a rugby pitch you are never afraid but maybe Italy respected New Zealand too much. They put a great deal of pressure on us because they are great players. This is a very physical team.
"We talked about this a lot but unfortunately we were unable to avoid this scenario."
- NZPA
