LIVE on Sky Sport – Sunday 24 November: All Blacks vs Italy, 9.10AM (NZST).
Live chat, match predictor and highlights are available on NZR+, highlights on All Blacks YouTube, and match updates on Instagram and Facebook.
All Blacks match-day 23 (caps in brackets)
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)
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)
Unavailable due to injury: Tamaiti Williams (neck), Jordie Barrett (knee), Samipeni Finau (concussion), Sam Darry (knee), Ethan Blackadder (calf), Luke Jacobson (fractured thumb) and Dalton Papali'i (upper hamstring).
The All Blacks’ final match of the Northern Tour will also be the final match in the black jersey for long-serving All Blacks Sam Cane and TJ Perenara. Cane will sign off his remarkable All Blacks career in the No.7 jersey, while halfback Perenara will inject his trademark high-energy impact off the bench against Italy on Saturday night in Turin.
Cane’s return creates a loose forward reshuffle, with Wallace Sititi slipping back into blindside and Ardie Savea going to No.8.
There are two further changes in the forwards, with prop Ethan de Groot and lock Patrick Tuipulotu coming into the starting line-up. Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Fletcher Newell will provide prop cover and Tupou Vaa’i will cover lock.
In the backs, Jordie Barrett has been ruled out this week with a knee injury, which sees Anton Lienert-Brown start at second five-eighth and brings David Havili into the reserves. Mark Tele’a has recovered from his hand injury to reclaim the right wing.
All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson says the squad has brought plenty of energy to this final week of tour and prepared well for an Italy side that has proven it can challenge the best.
“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.”
MATCH FACTS
- The All Blacks have played 17 Tests against Italy since their first meeting in 1979 in Rovigo.
- Italy have never beaten the All Blacks and lost 96-17 during the teams last match, which was played in Lyon during the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
- This will be the first Test played between the All Blacks and Italy at Allianz Stadium in Turin.
- The venue holds 41,000 fans and is best known as the home venue for Italian football club Juventus FC.