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Italy make key changes for showdown against New Zealand
Italy have named their team for the upcoming Pool A match against New Zealand at OL Stadium in Lyon on Friday, 29 September.
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The starting XV sees Dino Lamb, Stephen Varney, and Luca Morisi join the lineup, with Niccolo Cannone moving to the bench, while Alessandro Garbisi and Lorenzo Pani are omitted.
Lamb replaces Niccolo Cannone in the second-row, boasting a try in two of his three career starts.
Varney partners with Paolo Garbisi at scrum-half, marking their sixth appearance together this year.
Luca Morisi returns to the midfield after his 47-minute performance against Namibia, facing the All Blacks for the first time since 2018.
Tommaso Allan takes the full-back position, with Paolo Garbisi at fly-half. Allan aims to become Italy’s all-time leading Rugby World Cup point-scorer, needing just five more points.
No player in the squad has ever scored against the All Blacks since Tommaso Boni in 2016.
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Paolo Garbisi leads Italy at RWC 2023 in carries (31) and shares the top spot for defenders beaten (7) and try assists (2), underlining his crucial role in the team.
ITALY TEAM TO PLAY NEW ZEALAND IN LYON
1 Danilo Fischetti
2 Giacomo Nicotera
3 Marco Riccioni
4 Dino Lamb
5 Federico Ruzza
6 Sebastian Negri
7 Michele Lamaro (c)
8 Lorenzo Cannone
9 Stephen Varney
10 Paolo Garbisi
11 Montanna Ioane
12 Luca Morisi
13 Juan Ignacio Brex
14 Ange Capuozzo
15 Tommaso Allan
Replacements:
16 Hame Faiva
17 Ivan Nemer
18 Simone Ferrari
19 Niccolo Cannone
20 Manuel Zuliani
21 Toa Halafihi
22 Martin Page-Relo
23 Paolo Odogwu
A pity for Italy that they didn't blood Page-Relo a bit more, especially against Uruguay where Garbisi did an awful game in my opinion. He's been incredible for Toulouse and I'm sure he could bring some serious speed to Italy, that's what they lack the most.
To me he could have been the true revelation for Italy as well as Odogwu who would fully deserve to be in the starting 15.
As a neutral I don't have much hope but what an upset this game could provide!!
Non succede, ma se succede...💥