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Five changes for the All Blacks, including the return of Sam Cane
By Liam Heagney
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.
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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.
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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.
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.
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“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)
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.
It's not a nuetral venue like last year thats for sure!
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).
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.
Does anyone know a way to loook at how many mins each player has played whilst on tour?
all.rugby
I think Razor needs to grow some cahunas
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!
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.
Well at least he didn’t pick Chay Fihaki. There’s a positive.
Not enough injuries!
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.
Agreed. I'm disappointed about this line up.
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.
Well theres just no pleasing you then!
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?
It feels like sentimental decision making. It's annoying.
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
I think he could have had a balance of experience and newbies. Some of them must be pretty knackered by now.
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.
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