Italy hopes for rain facing All Blacks

Italy rugby coach Nick Mallett has a simple wish as his team eye the All Blacks on Saturday after his 10th consecutive defeat in charge last night.

"I'm hoping it's going to chuck down with rain in Christchurch, I really hope it chucks down and then we've got a game that hopefully can be relatively competitive," Mallett told Fox Sports.

Italy gave the Wallabies a fright at 12-20 down midway through the second half at Melbourne's Etihad Stadium before two tries in the final 10 minutes sealed the hosts a scratchy 34-12 win.

Italy officials pushed for the stadium roof to remain open so heavy dew and any rain would affect the Wallabies' running game, but their pre-match request was rejected.

Hence, Mallett's wish for the dirtiest of southerlies in Christchurch for his forward-orientated game.

"I looked at the All Blacks game [against France] and it was pouring with rain. This [Melbourne] was the game I was very worried about because of the dry ball.

"Obviously, southern hemisphere skills, speed and technique is just so much quicker, so with a dry ball we were going to be put under pressure and I was proud of the way they went."

The former Springboks coach said it was "a nightmare itinerary", with back-to-back tests against the Wallabies followed by the All Blacks a week later.

Mallett said to lose the two Australian tests by 23 and 22 points was a positive result.

"I'm just so pleased we didn't get 50 points put on us."

He felt his team's scrum and lineout were working smoothly, and the injection of Australian league convert Craig Gower at first five-eighth made a big difference.

"I told him when I picked him on the tour he'd start all three games at 10," Mallett said.

"We've just got to get used to the way he plays. I don't think any of the Italian backs have had the opportunity to play with someone who's such a good offloader of the ball in the tackle, who senses space, who attacks the line and is a danger himself. He's got a lot of confidence.

"We saw linebreaks from our first attack, the centre Gonzalo Garcia got three or four breaks and we've never had any of those in any games I've been involved with other flyhalves. I can only say that's thanks to Craig."

Having experienced so much success with South Africa, Mallett felt he was making progress with Italy despite their losing streak.

It gets no easier after the current tour, with the All Blacks and Springboks looming at home in November.

"With South Africa you're wanting to win the Tri-Nations and the World Cup because you've got players of that quality. With Italy it's about trying to keep it competitive.

"I love the job and I like working with these guys. They have improved. But 10 losses in a row, you know ... I got 17 wins with South Africa, I hope I'm not going for 17 losses in a row with Italy."