Five changes for the All Blacks, including the return of Sam Cane
Scott Roberston has announced a New Zealand team to play Italy on Saturday that has five changes from last weekend’s loss to France, including a recall for the fit-against Sam Cane who was injured in the November 8 win over Ireland in Dublin.
The All Blacks went down 29-30 in Paris last Saturday and the reaction for their tour-ending game in Turin has been to alter two backs and three forwards.
Mark Tele’a, who has recovered from a hand injury, and Stade de France replacement Anton Lienert-Brown have been named to start at right wing and inside centre respectively in place of Sevu Reece and Jordie Barrett, who has a knee injury,
In the pack, Ethan de Groot is at loosehead in place of Tamati Williams, Patrick Tuipulotu, another Stade de France sub, is promoted for the benched Tupou Vaa’i and Cane is recalled for Samipeni Finau.
Cane’s inclusion at openside for his final Test rugby appearance sees Ardie Savea switch to No8 and Wallace Sititi to blindside.
On the bench, Fletcher Newell, TJ Perenara and David Havili are this week’s new additions along with the demoted Vaa’i. As with Cane, Saturday’s match will be a final All Blacks appearance for sub scrum-half Perenara.
Robertson told allblacks.com: “This Italy team has made a real impact on the international stage this year, with a strong showing in the Six Nations competition that included wins over Scotland and Wales and a draw against France. “We know the passion this team will bring, so we are preparing for a physical and motivated Italy for our final Test of the tour.
“As our first ever match in Turin, our final match of the 2024 Test season, and the farewell match for Sam and TJ, this will be a great occasion. We are determined to finish our season in a way that honours and celebrates the immense contribution that Sam and TJ have made to the black jersey.”
New Zealand (vs Italy, Saturday)
1. Ethan de Groot (28)
2. Codie Taylor (95) (Vice-Captain)
3. Tyrel Lomax (43)
4. Scott Barrett (79) (captain)
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (50)
6. Wallace Sititi (9)
7. Sam Cane (103)
8. Ardie Savea (93) (vice-captain)
9. Cam Roigard (9)
10. Beauden Barrett (133)
11. Caleb Clarke (28)
12. Anton Lienert-Brown (83)
13. Rieko Ioane (80)
14. Mark Tele’a (18)
15. Will Jordan (40)
Replacements:
16. Asafo Aumua (19)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (67)
18. Fletcher Newell (21)
19. Tupou Vaa’i (37)
20. Peter Lakai (2)
21. TJ Perenara (88)
22. David Havili (29)
23. Damian McKenzie (61)
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Well at least he didn’t pick Chay Fihaki. There’s a positive.
How refreshing it would have been to see the likes of Ruben Love, Riley Higgins, or Noah Hotham be selected for a fixture like this.
Crazy not to give Love a run for this match. I'm not quite sure what they dragged him around the world for. It would have been a great opportunity to see him perform against decent oposition. With Barrett at 10, we are a bit short on specialised fullbacks and need to look to the future to create depth, and DMac is not it. Dito in the midfield, although this squad is short of options there with Proctor at home.
Totally agree. Nothing to gain from this game from playing BB and Dmac again. This fixture should always have been earmarked for a few more players like Higgins, Love, etc... It's being used as a testimonial for aging payers instead!
Sorry but i'm over the whole giving players a farwell. It's NOT like they are hanging up their boots is it?
WHAT IS THE POINT OF PLAYING CANE & PERENARA?
one last time? That you for your service?
Enough isn't it, Lakai earnt another start, Cane should be on the bench simply due to being the last man standing. Fair enough that Ratima has been dropped; he's been poor. It would be the perfect opportunity to play Hotham from the pine.
Well if they decided to go with a rotated team Italy may have had an outside chance. Now they are just gonna try to avoid a hiding
This is not an under strength selection and should be far too strong for the 6th ranked ( Northern) Italians
Think the are 5th but same point