Italy will rely on a blend of youth and experience when they face New Zealand in Rome on Saturday in new coach Conor O’Shea’s first test on home soil.
Scrum-half Giorgio Bronzini will make his international debut in an untested half-back pairing with Carlo Canna, who has 12 caps, against an All Blacks side looking to get back on track after a shock 40-29 defeat by Ireland in Chicago on Saturday.
Irishman O’Shea, who is gunning to emulate his compatriots’ success against a team Italy has not beaten in 14 meetings, has handed skipper Sergio Parisse a record 120th cap in the back row.
Veteran hooker Leonardo Ghiraldini also comes into the side, with Australian-born Luke McLean at inside centre.
Fullback Edoardo Padovani is at the heart of a back three that has 12 international caps between them, along with wings Giulio Bisegni and Angelo Esposito.
Italian team to face the All Blacks (15-1):
Edoardo Padovani, Giulio Bisegni, Tommaso Benvenuti, Luke Mclean, Angelo Esposito, Carlo Canna, Giorgio Bronzini, Sergio Parisse, Simone Favaro, Maxime Mbanda, Andries Van Schalkwyk, Marco Fuser, Lorenzo Cittadini, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Andrea Lovotti
The Saint
Roar Guru
Taylorman, I think he's got the goods. Tana Umaga-like IMO.
west
Guest
No AB game on Foxtel, they're showing everything except the All Blacks!!
John Stevens
Guest
What channel is this on? I cannot find it in any guide? How do you watch the game in Australia?
taylorman
Roar Guru
Terrific! Reiko Ioane to debut!!! Hopefully we will be witnessing the start of another brilliant All Black career! Still only 19! Cant wait!!
ClarkeG
Guest
They might notch up one against Tonga.
NaBUru38
Guest
I dont get why Italy keeps getting test matches versus Sanzar teams. They should be playing teams they have a chance of defeating, like Georgia, Fiji and United States.
The Saint
Roar Guru
Atlas, yes they are to gain experience. But Hansen and Foster have said they had pre-planned for the Italy match, to rest senior players to make sure "they dont run out of petrol" for the final two games. The loss to Ireland didnt alter those plans. I like your profile picture Atlas.
Atlas
Roar Rookie
Frontiers, both teams could be "is using this match for their youthful players to gain valuable experience and knowledge" The NZ team, 12 changes from last week in the staring XV, just lock Patrick Tuipulotu, Waisake Naholo, Sam and Cane from last week, uncapped players Ioane and Coltman, Scott Barrett and Damian McKenzie get their first starts, a new captain... no reflection or relevance to last week's loss Hansen continues ... Faith in his players and test if squad depth, hope he's right.
The Saint
Roar Guru
Italy appear to be not wanting to win this match...they've given up hope of beating the ABs, especially after the ABs shock loss to Ireland. They know that the ABs will want to right the wrongs of last week - in a big way. So Italy is using this match for their youthful players to gain valuable experience and knowledge.
CUW
Guest
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Israel Dagg, 13 Malakai Fekitoa, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Tawera Kerr-Barlow, 8 Steven Luatua, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Elliot Dixon, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Charlie Faumuina, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Wyatt Crockett Replacements: 16 Liam Coltman, 17 Joe Moody, 18 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 19 Brodie Retallick, 20 Matt Todd, 21 Aaron Smith, 22 Lima Sopoaga, 23 Rieko Ioane Italy: 15 Edoardo Padovani, 14 Giulio Bisegni, 13 Tommaso Benvenuti, 12 Luke McLean, 11 Angelo Esposito, 10 Carlo Canna, 9 Giorgio Bronzini, 8 Sergio Parisse (c), 7 Simone Favaro, 6 Maxime Mbanda, 5 Andries Van Schalkwyk, 4 Marco Fuser, 3 Lorenzo Cittadini, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Andrea Lovotti Replacements: 16 Ornel Gega, 17 Sami Panico, 18 Pietro Ceccarelli, 19 George Biagi, 20 Francesco Minto, 21 Edoardo Gori, 22 Tommaso Allan, 23 Tommaso Boni Date: Saturday, November 12 Venue: Stadio Olimpico, Rome Kick-off: 15:00 local (14:00 GMT) Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) Assistant Referees: Alex Ruiz (France), Dudley Phillips (Ireland) TMO: Eric Gauzins (France)