New Zealand grind out win over Italy at San Siro

By Paul Virgo

MILAN (Reuters) - Corey Flynn scored the only try to help a second-string New Zealand side grind out a 20-6 win over Italy in front of a capacity 80,000 crowd at the San Siro on Saturday.

The hooker powered over in the corner in the 27th minute of the match at the home of soccer clubs Inter and AC Milan, while centre Luke McAlister scored the other points with his boot.

Flyhalf Craig Gower kicked two penalties for Italy, who put on a proud showing for the biggest crowd ever to see a rugby match in Italy.

They managed to disrupt the visitors' rhythm with robust defending and had them camped on their line in the closing stages, although they wasted a couple of chances in the first half with misjudged kicks.

"It's a dream to play in front of you all," Italy captain Sergio Parisse told the crowd. "Thank you for your support."

The All Blacks, featuring just three players who started last weekend's 19-12 win over Wales in Cardiff, did not have the best of starts, with debutant wing Ben Smith dropping an easy catch from a high ball after a sound fault had silenced much of the New Zealand national anthem.

Gower booted Italy in front in the fourth minute before McAlister replied for the visitors with two penalties of his own.

New Zealand were under intense pressure at times, especially in the scrum, and Flynn's try failed to ignite them, in part because of sloppy handling.