Publications
Partners
Milan - Italy captain Sergio Parisse will miss the final November Test match against world champions New Zealand in Rome, the Italian rugby federation confirmed on Thursday.
No. 8 Parisse, also captain of Top 14 side Stade Francais, has been struggling with a calf problem and will not play against Australia in Padua this weekend. He also missed last weekend's 28-17 win over Georgia in Florence.
"I'm disappointed that I can't offer my concrete contribution to the team in these weeks," said Parisse, capped 134 times by Italy.
"But with Conor (O'Shea, Italy coach) and the Italian medical staff and the club we opted to return to Paris and work calmly on my return to the pitch.
"I can't wait for the Six Nations to return and to wear the national jersey again."
Italy play their last Test match of the year against the All Blacks in the Stadio Olimpico on November 24.
Parisse was sidelined for a month in September and suffered a relapse two weeks after returning for Stade Francais in October.
O'Shea has reshuffled his pack with Braam Steyn taking the 35-year-old's place and hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini wearing the skipper's armband.
