Robertson springs surprise selections for All Blacks' year-ending Italy clash

Scott Robertson has resisted any temptation to rotate his side for the All Blacks’ year-ending test against Italy, and named as strong a side as possible for Sunday’s clash in Turin.

While it was expected that a new-look side would be named to take the field at Juventus’ Allianz Stadium, only five changes have been made to the starting XV from the one that was beaten 30-29 by France last weekend.

After three weeks on the sidelines after his non-selection against England, Ethan de Groot will make his return in the No 1 jersey as a straight swap with Tamaiti Williams, who misses out with a neck injury.

Former captain Sam Cane also makes his return after missing the French defeat through injury, having suffered a deep cut to his head in the victory over Ireland. Sunday will be Cane’s final appearance as an All Black, after the former captain signed a deal to move to Japan next year.

Cane takes the place of teammate Samipeni Finau, who is absent after a failed head injury assessment against France, and forces a reshuffle of the loose forward trio, sending Wallace Sititi on to the blind side of the scrum and Ardie Savea back to No 8.

Patrick Tuipulotu earns his first start since captaining the All Blacks to victory over Japan at the start of the northern tour and will partner captain Scott Barrett in the second row while moving Tupou Vaa’i – one of the success stories of 2024 – on to the bench to end the year.

Jordie Barrett’s knee injury affords Anton Lienert-Brown a rare start in midfield, partnering Rieko Ioane, as Mark Tele’a returns from a hand injury on the right wing in place of Sevu Reece.

However, while Cane has been afforded a start in his farewell test, the same cannot be said for TJ Perenara. The 32-year-old will also relocate to Japan next year but this weekend will start on the bench as cover for Cam Roigard. Perenara’s inclusion comes at the expense of Cortez Ratima, who drops out of the matchday 23 altogether.

On the bench, Fletcher Newell gets the chance to impress, and swaps in for 2024 newcomer Pasilio Tosi as the only change to the forwards. Peter Lakai is retained as loose forward cover after he made a strong case for future selection at Stade de France.

In the backs, David Havili fills the void left by Lienert-Brown’s promotion, while Damian McKenzie again wears No 23, as cover for both Beauden Barrett and Will Jordan, who start at first-five and fullback respectively.

Robertson said the selection team had talks about resting regular starters but went with the best team.

“We’re picking the best side to win this test match. We feel the team we’ve picked is full respect. They’re a passionate side, when they get it right they’re a tough side to play and this is the team we believe is the best for this weekend.

“Everyone has played. Ethan de Groot plays this weekend so they’ve all had a match. We had those conversions, the balance we’ve got a couple of changes...we’ve kept the balance of the squad as similar as we possibly can.”

Robertson said there was five or six players who could have been rested this week but the defeat to France last week changed that.

“I think that’s part of the reason we named the team. The guys were desperately disappointed last week. We created so much and the French just took a few opportunities, the game changed and we had our chances which we didn’t take. We wanted to come up here and sweep the north. The margins are small. Not we get a chance to finish properly. The guys were all putting their hand up. It’s been a big 40 days for us and we want to finish with a performance we’re proud of.”

These two sides last met at the 2023 World Cup in France, where Ian Foster’s All Blacks emerged as convincing 96-17 victors.

All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Patrick Tuipulotu, 6. Wallace Sititi, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Ardie Savea, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Anton Lienert-Brown, 13. Rieko Ioane, 14. Mark Tele’a, 15. Will Jordan.

Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18. Fletcher Newell, 19. Tupou Vaa’i, 20. Peter Lakai, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. David Havili, 23. Damian McKenzie.

Italian side to play All Blacks
Italy are without regular skipper Michele Lamaro after he suffered a shoulder injury against Georgia last week. Centre Juan Ignacio Brex will captain the side.

In other changes, fullback Ange Capuozzo returns to the final following a head injury replacing Matt Gallagher, son of All Black John Gallagher.

Flanker Manuel Zuliani starts while lock Federico Ruzza returns following a rib injury. Halfback Martin Page-Relo earns a start, replacing Alessandro Garbisi who moves to the bench, Gianmarco Lucchesi is at hooker while prop Marco Riccioni is chosen ahead of Simone Ferrari.

Nine of the starting XV also started against the All Blacks at last year’s World Cup.

Italy side:
1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Gianmarco Lucchesi, 3. Marco Riccioni, 4. Federico Ruzza, 5. Dino Lamb, 6. Sebastian Negri, 7. Manuel Zuliani, 8. Ross Vintcent, 9. Martin Page-Relo, 10. Paolo Garbisi, 11. Monty Ioane, 12. Tommaso Menoncello, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex (captain), 14. Jacopo Trulla, 15. Ange Capuozzo.

Reserves: 16. Giacomo Nicotera, 17. Mirco Spagnolo, 18. Simone Ferrari, 19. Niccolo Cannone, 20. Alessandro Izekor, 21. Alessandro Garbisi, 22. Leonardo Marin, 23. Marco Zanon.

This article was first published on nzherald.co.nz and is republished here with permission