Share

Italy change eight for ABs

Rome - Italy coach Jacques Brunel has made eight changes to the side that beat Tonga 28-23 last week ahead of Saturday's test against New Zealand's All Blacks at Rome's Olympic Stadium.

Italy have suffered defeats to the All Blacks in all 12 of their previous encounters but will be hoping their best available team can provide a stiffer challenge to the reigning world champions.

In the backs Tommaso Iannone, who made his debut at right wing in Brescia last week, makes way for Giovambattista Venditti while Mirco Bergamasco comes in at left wing for Luke McLean, who is on the replacements bench.

Luciano Orquera comes in at flyhalf for Kris Burton with Edoardo Gori reclaiming the scrumhalf position from Tobias Botes, who is also among the replacements.

Among the forwards there were also four changes.

Simone Favaro returns to the starting XV in favour of Robert Barbieri at openside flanker while Francesco Minto takes Joshua Furno's place in the second row.

Antonio Pavanello replaces Quintin Geldenhuys at second row while tighthead prop Martin Castrogiovanni, a late replacement in last week's edgy win over Tonga, starts in place of Lorenzo Cittadini.

New Zealand beat Scotland 51-22 at Murrayfield last week but have made radical changes to that side for the Rome Test.

Teams:

Italy:

15 Andrea Masi, 14 Giovambattista Venditti, 13 Tommaso Benvenuti, 12 Alberto Sgarbi, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Luciano Orquera, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse, 7 Simone Favaro, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Francesco Minto, 4 Antonio Pavanello, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Andrea Lo Cicero

Substitutes: 16 Davide Giazzon, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Lorenzo Cittadini, 19 Quintin Geldenhuys, 20 Mauro Bergamasco, 21 Robert Barbieri, 22 Tobias Botes, 23 Luke McLean

New Zealand:

15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Hosea Gear, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (captain), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Messam, 5 Brodie Retallick, 4 Ali Williams, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock

Substitutes: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Ben Franks, 19 Samuel Whitelock, 20 Victor Vito, 21 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 22 Daniel Carter, 23 Cory Jane

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1119 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1287 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 1981 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE