The All Blacks wanted to sign off 2024 with a flourish and send off departing stalwarts Sam Cane and TJ Perenara in style in the wake of a disappointing last-start loss to France.
But Italy, humiliated by the All Blacks 96-17 last year at the Rugby World Cup, gave a passionate, committed display to restrict New Zealand to their lowest score in this matchup in 15 years.
New Zealand were held to 17-6 until the last 10 minutes when they conjured tries for backs Mark Tele'a and Beauden Barrett while Italy were down to 14 men.
But those tries were split by Italy's one and only try, to Tommaso Menoncello served up by his centre partner Juan Ignacio Brex.
The All Blacks overcame a yellow card to captain Scott Barrett in the first half to score tries through scrumhalf Cam Roigard and fullback Will Jordan, his 38th in 41 Tests.
But the poor handling continued after the break, when New Zealand found themselves under siege on their tryline for 20 phases and survived, though Anton Lienert-Brown was yellow-carded.
They got fresh impetus from the bench, and a notable lift from Perenara, who led his last All Blacks haka.Â
But the backs, in the face of swarming defenders, laboured to finish off the forwards' reliable set-piece work.
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