Northern Edition

Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
New Zealand New Zealand
France France

Five changes for the All Blacks, including the return of Sam Cane

The All Blacks perform their haka last Saturday in Paris (Photo by Xavier Laine/Getty Images)

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

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.

Video Spacer

Are England’s woes that bad? The Breakdown | RPTV

The guys from The Breakdown in New Zealand have a look at England’s results and how Marcus Smith has come of age. Watch the full episode on RugbyPass TV now

Watch now

Video Spacer

Are England’s woes that bad? The Breakdown | RPTV

The guys from The Breakdown in New Zealand have a look at England’s results and how Marcus Smith has come of age. Watch the full episode on RugbyPass TV now

Watch now

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, a second-minute injury casualty last weekend.

Cane’s inclusion at openside for his final Test rugby appearance sees Ardie Savea switch to No8 and Wallace Sititi to blindside.

Team Form

Last 5 Games

3
Wins
4
1
Streak
1
15
Tries Scored
20
3
Points Difference
74
2/5
First Try
3/5
4/5
First Points
0/5
2/5
Race To 10 Points
4/5

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.

ADVERTISEMENT

“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)

Related

ADVERTISEMENT

LIVE

{{item.title}}

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

38 Comments
S
SadersMan 48 days ago

The problem with any NH team is they seem to grow another bloody leg whenever the ABs are in town. I love this selection, leave no doubt, make no ASSumptions. Job is to win.


That said, one change I'd have made in the backs was Reiko to 11, & Tupaea/ALB in the centres.

J
JW 47 days ago

It's not a nuetral venue like last year thats for sure!

S
SC 48 days ago

AJ Lam has played far better in Super Rugby and for the All Blacks XV than Tupaea. Would like to have seen Lam, who is in camp (Tupaea is not) on the bench over Havili.


Would have also liked to have seen Rueben Love start a fullback with Jordan at right wing. For as much criticism Reese gets for his lack of speed, which is valid, Tele'a is just as slow.


Would like to have seen Perofeta cover 10/15 form the bench and park McKenzie in the stands (he played in 13 tests).

J
JW 48 days ago

Well it's a bit disappointing injury hasn't been as much of a selector as I'd hoped for the AB's this weekend.


At least week got ALB in there and they made the call to let Ratima concentrate on building for another go next year already. Upgrades in both positions for me though I'd like it the otherway round, to not be.


Happy for Patrick to earn his start this week, along with EDG.


Mo'unga, please come back home ASAP, we need saving as I'm not sure Razor knows that his captain, Ardie, and Reiko have literally played every test this year, and we can all see he's given you the big desperate PLEASE with these selections.

H
Head high tackle 48 days ago

Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?

J
JW 48 days ago

all.rugby

J
JJB 48 days ago

I think Razor needs to grow some cahunas

T
Tk 49 days ago

Worst selection of the year. Farewells for Sam and TJ- but they are not retiring greats, they have chosen to leave NZ rugby for pay days. Havili, just why? Lakai had a great 78 mins last week now dropped for a retirement party. Reuben Love anyone, you know, a player who will be around come RWC'27!

J
JW 48 days ago

they have chosen to leave NZ rugby for pay days.

They've done better than a lot of recent retired greats who forced themselvse on the ABs by staying too long.


Leaving now is the last think you can criticise these players for.


Hopefully that's the case for Havili as well. Really need the like's of McCleod to step up at the Crusaders. Lakai has the same position. Hopefully he can just get 30min to empty his tank so he doesn't run dry like he did last week. Perofeta is next in line but theres so much competition now, esp with Tele'a returning.

D
DrinkAwayTheConcussion 49 days ago

Well at least he didn’t pick Chay Fihaki. There’s a positive.

J
JW 48 days ago

Not enough injuries!

N
Nickers 49 days ago

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.

J
Jen 47 days ago

Agreed. I'm disappointed about this line up.

j
johnz 49 days ago

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.

J
JW 48 days ago

Well theres just no pleasing you then!

N
Nickers 49 days ago

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!

J
Jacque 49 days ago

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?

J
Jen 47 days ago

It feels like sentimental decision making. It's annoying.

j
johnz 49 days ago

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.

S
SK 49 days ago

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

J
Jen 47 days ago

I think he could have had a balance of experience and newbies. Some of them must be pretty knackered by now.

J
JW 48 days ago

IDK I feel the 'best' team for this week would have included fresher faces.


I will actually give a bit of Kudos to Razor if the players he's chosen all give it their 100%. I just don't see them as having the energy left to do it myself.

C
Cantab 49 days ago

This is not an under strength selection and should be far too strong for the 6th ranked ( Northern) Italians

G
GL 49 days ago

Think the are 5th but same point

Load More Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

B
Bull Shark 52 minutes ago
Salmaan Moerat: 'I’ve not really processed the magnitude of leading the Springboks'

I like the idea of Elrigh Louw as a long-term option for captaincy. Honestly, it’s hard to say who else could take on that role after Siya Kolisi, as 2027 is still a long way off. In my opinion, Siya will likely go to the Rugby World Cup in 2027 unless injury or a significant dip in form prevents him.


Between now and 2027, I think the captaincy will be shared among several players as Siya’s playing time is carefully managed—a strategy the Springboks have been implementing for some time. Younger players like Salmaan Moerat might get opportunities to captain in tier-two matches, as we’ve already seen. Other emerging talents like Jordan Hendrikse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu could also be considered, though the Boks have traditionally favored forwards for captaincy roles. Damian Willemse is another possibility, but he first needs to play his way back into the team.


My personal feeling is that there should be an effort to appoint a black captain to replace Siya. His captaincy has been pivotal in broadening rugby's appeal across racial groups in South Africa over the past 7 years. More so than any other period in the last 30 years.


Form permitting, Moerat is a strong contender, given his leadership qualities and pedigree. However, some might view such an appointment as political, potentially overlooking Moerat's real potential and the broader significance of such a decision.


Other players with leadership potential have been mentioned in the past, such as Phepsi Buthelezi. However, it remains to be seen whether the former DHS star will secure a permanent spot in the Springbok lineup. The first Zulu captain of the Springboks? Would be nice, but unlikely given the competition for the 8 jersey.


One positive aspect of the uncertainty around Siya’s long-term successor is the way the Springboks have emphasized shared leadership among senior players. This approach has lessened the pressure on a single captain and allowed the team to thrive collectively.


When Siya was first appointed, there was skepticism about his leadership credentials. And whether he was the best 6 in the country. The shared leadership strategy gave him the support and platform to grow into the exceptional captain he is today. And he's proven critics wrong about his abilities as a player.


I find it interesting that he's playing at 8 for the Sharks. Rassie has made a habit of taking 36ers and above to the World Cup, players who bring options to the table like Frans Steyn, Schalk Brits, Duane Vermeulen and more recently Deon Fourie.


All of SA wants to see Siya win a 3rd World Cup. That's for sure.


And if he goes, he'll lead.

4 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING Six players Rassie Erasmus must hand Springbok debuts to in 2025 Six players Rassie Erasmus must hand Springbok debuts to in 2025
Search