Razor gives All Blacks duo a chance to bid farewell
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has named his team to play Italy in their final Nations Cup Series match on Saturday in Turin.
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 scrumhalf 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.
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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 centre 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.”
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Mark Telea, 13 Reiko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Patrick Tuipulotu, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Tyral Lomax, 2 Codie Talor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 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.
Date: Saturday, November 23
Venue: Juventus Stadium, Turin
Kick-off: 22.10 (20.10 GMT; ;09.10 Sunday, November 24 NZST)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) & Ludovic Cayre (France)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)
