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Ange Capuozzo's message to those who doubted the All Blacks
By Ben Smith
Italian winger Ange Capuozzo made a point to mention those who had doubted the All Blacks ability to fire after Italy's demoralising 96-17 defeat at Parc Olympique in Lyon.
The fleet-footed star was tasked with marking in-form All Black winger Mark Telea, who proved a handful to contain with 120 running metres and a try.
The 24-year-old didn't have much opportunity in open space himself, but did make the most of his rare chance early in the second half to outsprint the Barrett brothers to the corner for a well-deserved try.
Capuozzo revealed he had heard all the talk during the week that the All Blacks were "beatable" as their former aura fades, but after the result he had words for the doubters.
"I heard a lot of things during the week about New Zealand being beatable and that they weren't at their best," he said.
"I'd like to invite anyone who's been analysing this team to come and play against them. They're a settled, serious team with a lot going for them.
"They took us seriously, and that's a form of respect on their part.
"They played a precise and clinical game. We can't be ashamed of our performance. We came up against a great team."
Last year's Breakthrough Player of the Year planned on having "a good night's sleep" to get over the loss and wake up with all focus on France, the remaining pool game that will decide Italy's fate.
They can still qualify for the quarter-finals from Pool B and knock hosts France out of the World Cup in a week's time.
That may seem unlikely however France struggled to see off Italy in February by 29-24 where the Italians had the lead late.
France's star havles pair Romain Ntamack and Antoine Dupont were on the pitch in Rome and will be missing this time around in the rematch at the Parc Olympique next Friday.
However, they will have to address the faltering set-piece if they are to provide enough quality ball to Capuozzo and the likes of Monty Ioane and Tommaso Allan.
"We're not going to stop there. We had some pretty positive points when we've managed to hold on to the ball. We've got seven days to prepare for the match against France," Capuozzo said.
"That's the goal."
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