All blacks hope to recover from troubled Italy

Coach Scott Robertson has selected a strong line-up for what is expected to be a bitterly cold match in Turin, where temperatures are forecast to drop below freezing when the match kicks off at 21:10 local time (2010 GMT).

There have been few changes to his starting XI, some due to injury, since the 30-29 defeat to France at the Stade de France, when New Zealand looked a very different team to the one that had struggled through the Rugby Championship.

And Robertson admitted his surprise decision to field stars such as two-time World Rugby Player of the Year Beauden Barrett was motivated by a desire to bounce back from what he considers an undeserved loss.

“That’s one of the reasons we named the team. The boys were desperately disappointed last week, we created so much and the French just took advantage of a few chances. The game changed, we had chances that we didn’t take,” Robertson said. to reporters on Thursday.

“We wanted to come here and conquer the north… It’s been a big 40 days for us and we want to end Saturday night with a performance we’re proud of.”

New Zealand have won all 17 of their matches against Italy since 1979 but they are not taking this match lightly despite the home side having little hope of causing what could be a colossal upset.

Italy have won five of their 10 Test matches under Gonzalo Quesada and head into November’s internationals with an improved reputation after their best-ever Six Nations campaign earlier in the year saw them finish in fifth place.

“We are choosing the best team to win this test. We feel that the team we have chosen commands complete respect,” Robertson added.

“They are a passionate team and when they do things right, they are difficult to play against.”

Farewell to Kane

Sam Cane, who survived the defeat to France with a head injury, will retire from international rugby after making his 104th cap while TJ Perenara is on the bench for his final All Blacks match.

Kane was part of New Zealand’s last World Cup-winning team in 2015 and led them to the final at the last tournament in France when he was sent off early in the first half and had to watch his side narrowly lose to South Africa.

“I know we’re playing a guy who’s going to leave next year, but the value outweighs any feelings,” Robertson said of Kane.

“His value in the team over a long period of time has been incredible… he epitomizes the All Black free forward, a great leader and he has left a huge mark on us and on the jersey.”

Quezada admitted to Italian journalists that he had little hope of his side winning at the Allianz Stadium and repeating their first victory over Australia, this time two years ago.

Italy have failed to convince this month, crushing Argentina and edging past Georgia 20-17 after trailing badly at half-time, and Quezada fears another defeat at the hands of the All Blacks similar to the one they won at the World Cup when they scored 14 tries.

“After not having an outstanding rugby championship… their November matches were a sea of ​​tries against Japan, wins over England and Ireland and they deserved to beat France,” he said.

“They lost by a point but they were the All Blacks again as we all know… we’ll be up against the best version of the All Blacks.”

Quesada is encouraged by the return of Toulouse star Ange Capuozzo, who starts at full-back after missing his side’s win over Georgia with concussion.

Capuozzo left the field seven minutes into Italy’s heavy defeat to Argentina, which began their autumn Test campaign earlier this month, to replace Matt Gallagher.

© 2024 AFP