But each time, they lacked the willpower to follow through, kicking the gas can down the road and leaving the Transportation Trust Fund on the brink of insolvency.
Italy very nearly scored a second try five minutes later, but despite a fabulous one-handed effort, right wing Tommaso Benvenuti was unable to get downward pressure on the ball after a cute through-kick by full-back Luke McLean.
When you kick through, try to kick your foot as far away from your body as you can.
Sports teams can barely get through kick-off without having a tender, lingering embrace.
It was only when the FA took decisive action, especially through Kick It Out, that the race hate subsided.
A statement read: "The club supports the League's central anti-discrimination efforts through Kick It Out.
"There has been a big improvement there, particularly in his ability to dominate a game through kicking," said All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith.
In fact, if you look through Kick It Out's last annual report you will find its chairman, Herman Ouseley, noting "a considerable increase in reported hate-related incidents in football".
"He then came through kicking at the Aviva Stadium yesterday afternoon very well, so that clarified things for us, but up until then there was some small doubt.
