All Blacks too scared to change for Italy Test
· The South African
While Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus didn’t hesitate to make 10 changes to his matchday squad to face in-form Scotland at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, 11 July, All Blacks coach Dave Rennie resisted mass changes for New Zealand’s home Nations Championship clash against lowly Italy.
Kick-off is at 07:10 (SA time).
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Scotland are coming off an impressive 47-28 away win over Argentina which saw them rise to fifth in the latest World Rugby rankings.
By contrast, Italy suffered an embarrassing 27-10 defeat to Japan, which saw the Azzurri stay 10th in the rankings.
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While Erasmus was quick out the blocks in naming his matchday squad on Monday morning, Rennie took until Thursday afternoon to stick largely with tried and tested players, once again opting not to build depth in the All Blacks’ greater squad.
Rennie spoke of selecting a “strong side” which showed the “respect we have” for Italy.
Hopefully no one accuses Erasmus of not having respect for the Scots!
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Shook up replacements bench
Rennie made five changes to his starting team for the Test against Italy, while shaking up his replacements bench.
Leroy Carter was a surprise choice to start on the left wing for Saturday’s Test in Wellington, replacing Caleb Clarke from the All Blacks side that beat France 34-32 in Christchurch a week earlier, while Billy Proctor comes in at outside centre.
Prop Tyrel Lomax, lock Tupou Vaa’i and flanker Wallace Sititi also come into the XV.
Among six new faces on the replacements bench are the German-born loose forward Anton Segner and wing Josh Moorby, who are both in line to make their debuts.
“There are a number of players and combinations who we felt deserved and would benefit from a second successive run, and other players who have earned the right to get their opportunity,” Rennie said.
“We are excited for Josh and Anton to potentially earn their first All Blacks caps.”
Rennie said it was a “strong side” and showed the “respect we have” for Italy.
“They have shown through the Six Nations competition that they are capable of knocking over any team, so we have prepared for a tough challenge,” added Rennie.
Italy has never beaten New Zealand in 17 previous attempts.
Ten players in the matchday 23 played the last time the two teams met, in Turin in 2024, when New Zealand won 29-11.
Teams
New Zealand15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Ruben Love, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Luke Jacobson, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Sam Darry, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 George Bower, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Josh Lord, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Josh Moorby
Italy15 Tommaso Allan, 14 Malik Faissal, 13 Juan Ignacio Brex, 12 Tommaso Menoncello, 11 Louis Lynagh, 10 Paolo Garbisi, 9 Stephen Varney, 8 Lorenzo Cannone, 7 Michele Lamaro (captain), 6 Ross Vintcent, 5 Andrea Zambonin, 4 Niccolo Cannone, 3 Marco Riccioni, 2 Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 1 Danilo Fischetti
Replacements: 16 Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17 Mirco Spagnolo, 18 Muhamed Hasa, 19 Giulio Marini, 20 Federico Ruzza, 21 Riccardo Favretto, 22 Alessandro Garbisi, 23 Leonardo Marin
Referee: Luc Ramos (France)
Assistant referees: Nic Berry (Australia) & Luke Pearce (England)
TMO: Ben Whitehouse (Wales)