Fourteen months after New Zealand smashed Italy 96-17 in Lyon, the All Blacks had to work much harder for their win against their European rivals after managing a hard-fought 29-11 win in Turin.

In an ugly, scrappy performance, Scott Robertson’s side managed just a four-tries-to-one win after being tested at the breakdown on a bitterly cold night in Italy’s north-west.

Credit had to go to Gonzalo Quesada’s side for their ability to make the last tackle and force the All Blacks into mistakes, but it was a game few will want to remember.

“Probably their least convincing performance of the season,” former All Blacks winger Jeff Wilson said.

“I think from an All Blacks perspective they’ll think of this as a frustrating day at the office.”

Right from the opening whistle the All Blacks were off their game.

Lock Patrick Tuipulotu put a boot onto the touchline from the opening kick-off, halfback Cam Roigard kicked out on the full from his first kick, while the Italians picked off Codie Taylor’s usual accurate throw. It wasn’t long either before captain Scott Barrett was sent to the sin bin for a crocodile roll at the breakdown.

The mistakes continued, and the All Blacks only had themselves to blame after pushing passes and squandering try-scoring opportunities through impatience.

It was only their scrum that made an impression, with the home side blown off the park by Frenchman Pierre Brousset at the crucial set-piece area.

“I think it really showed how much they wanted to beat us tonight through their intensity at the collision and the breakdown, so hats off to them. We were a little bit sloppy and probably weren’t up to our standards and how we want to play the game,” Barrett said.

“Greasy ball favoured defence at times, we hung in the arm-wrestle, we got in front and by no means was it a polished performance, but we come away with a win so it’s pleasing.”

The night saw the curtains drop on the international careers of World Cup winners Sam Cane and TJ Perenara, who will be ineligible to play for All Blacks moving forward after signing long-term deals in Japan.

Their continued selections in 2024 raised eyebrows on the Shaky Isles, but Robertson spoke about their importance in laying down the law for the next generation of All Blacks after the retirements of several greats including Dane Coles, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick and Aaron Smith over the past 14 months.

“They’ve been great, particularly Sam,” Barrett said.

“He’s a huge leader and he’s left a lot in this jersey. No man cares about this team more than him, so it’s great to see him off with a win and I want to wish him and TJ the best.”

The 18-point victory saw Robertson finish with a 10-4, win-loss record in his first season in charge of the All Blacks.

Asked to sum it up, Robertson said he was satisfied with the growth of the side.

“We’ve had three games that are one-score moments, big moments in Test matches that could have gone the other way,” he said.

“Look, I’m so proud of the mindset and the growth of the group. We’ve gained so much, we’ve played some unbelievable footy, but Test footy is about key moments, making the right decisions and finding the way, and we just haven’t quite got that.

“We’ve got a tight group on and off the field and we’re just [gestures a fraction] that far away. I’m learning and we’re learning, and we’re getting better.”

Barrett agreed the All Blacks were on the right track after a tough Rugby Championship, where they lost three of their opening four Tests including back-to-back narrow defeats in South Africa.

“We came across some challenges this season, but we’ve won some tight Test matches, we’ve been in every Test match, the tough tour in South Africa, and we’ve come up north and wanted to emulate what the team did 100 years ago and go unbeaten and, unfortunately, we were one point short last week,” Barrett said.

“We improved as the season went on and I’m pleased with the way this team is going.”

On a greasy night, the All Blacks trailed 6-3 after 15 minutes following two penalties to Paolo Garbisi.

The All Blacks finally scored the opening try midway through the opening half when Roigard spotted some space and pinned the ears back.

It looked like the All Blacks had broken the shackles when Will Jordan sliced through on the stroke of half-time to score their second try.

But more impatience after the break and some strong defence from Monty Ioane denied the All Blacks from pulling away from the home side. Anton Lienert-Brown’s yellow card after the visitors gave away three quick penalties in succession further frustrated them.

Eventually, after some scrum dominance, the All Blacks flung it wide and Mark Tele’a crossed out wide in the 70th minute to score the first points of the second half.

The home side responded quickly, as centre Tommaso Menoncello benefitted from a strong contestable kick and raced away to score.

More points were around the corner as Beauden Barrett pounced on a poor chip-and-chase from Ange Capuozzo.

Despite the late flurry of points, the comfortable win in the end did little to alter the course of what was a tough watch for a team that has left many unconvinced in 2024.