Strange as it may seem, this match in Lyon is a must-win for New Zealand. The All Blacks come into this Rugby World Cup match third in Pool A, five points adrift of opponents Italy, and a further three behind leaders France. An unthinkable defeat here would leave them facing a pool stage exit for the first time.
Head coach Ian Foster has made nine changes in his starting XV from their 71-3 victory against Namibia. Only Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Brodie Retallick, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea, and Beauden Barrett retain their places.
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Italy have 10 points from a possible 10 so far, thanks to a 52-8 win over Namibia and a come-from-behind 38-17 victory over Uruguay. But their hard work starts here, first with this match then a final pool encounter with hosts France next Friday at the same venue.
Italy head coach Kieran Crowley has moved Niccolo Cannone to the bench, bringing in Dino Lamb, Stephen Varney and Luca Morisi, while Alessandro Garbisi and Lorenzo Pani drop out of the squad. Tommaso Allan returns to fullback, while Paolo Garbisi moves from inside centre back to his favoured fly-half position.
The Azzurri are brimming with confidence right now – but a win over New Zealand would be a titanic upset.
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FIXTURE: New Zealand v Italy
GROUND: OL Stadium, Lyon (58,883)
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TEAMS
NEW ZEALAND Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala; Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett; Shannon Frizell, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea (captain)
Replacements: Dane Coles, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane, Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown
ITALY Tommaso Allan; Ange Capuozzo, Juan Ignacio Brex, Luca Morisi, Montanna Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Marco Riccioni; Dino Lamb, Federico Ruzza; Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro (captain), Lorenzo Cannone
Replacements: Hame Faiva, Ivan Nemer, Simone Ferrari, Niccolo Cannone, Manuel Zuliani, Toa Halafihi, Martin Page-Relo, Paolo Odogwu
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