All Blacks team: Scott Robertson gives great servants a fitting send-off as discarded forward meets ‘internal standards’ to earn recall
Sam Cane in action for All Blacks against England, and scrum-half TJ Perenara.
Sam Cane and TJ Perenara will play their last ever games for the All Blacks after being selected in the team to face Italy on Saturday.
The former captain has recovered from a head injury to take his place at openside flanker, while the scrum-half makes his first appearance in the 23 on this European tour.
Cane missed New Zealand’s encounter with France after sustaining a nasty gash in the triumph over Ireland, but has returned to the starting line-up for this weekend’s match.
His presence in the XV means that Ardie Savea moves back to number eight with World Rugby Breakthrough Player of the Year nominee Wallace Sititi at blindside.
“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,” head coach Scott Robertson said.
“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.”
Other forward alterations
Cane is not the only alteration in the pack with Patrick Tuipulotu coming into the second-row alongside captain Scott Barrett after a number of fine cameos off the bench.
As a result, Tupou Vaa’i is among the replacements after starting the past three matches at lock.
In the front-row, Ethan de Groot finally gets another shot having originally been ousted from the XV for not meeting “internal standards.”
Loosehead De Groot partners Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax, who both retain their places in the front-row following the France loss.
Behind the scrum, there are two changes. Jordie Barrett’s injury means that Anton Lienert-Brown partners Rieko Ioane in the midfield, while Mark Tele’a has recovered from a hand issue.
Tele’a combines with Will Jordan and Caleb Clarke in the back three, while Beauden Barrett and Cam Roigard continue at half-back.
On the bench, the presence of Perenara is the big headline as the scrum-half gets the chance to play one final match for the All Blacks.
The 32-year-old will retire from international rugby following the Italy contest having signed a long-term deal in Japan.
Perenara is joined by David Havili and Damian McKenzie as the backline replacements, while Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Fletcher Newell, Vaa’i and Peter Lakai provide the forward cover.
“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,” Robertson added.
“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.”
All Blacks team to face Italy
All Blacks: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Mark Tele’a, 13 Rieko 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 Barret (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 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: Allianz Stadium, Turin
Kick-off: 21:10 local (20:10 GMT, 09:10 NZDT)
Referee: Pierre Brousset (France)
Assistant Referees: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia), Ludovic Cayre (France)
TMO: Tual Trainini (France)
