Following a razor-thin opening victory against France in Christchurch, All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has pivoted his selection strategy for Round 2 of the Nations Championship 2026. While welcoming Italy to Wellington traditionally invites wholesale squad rotation, Rennie is taking no chances against a dangerous, ascending Azzurri side.
Instead of a complete second-string overhaul, New Zealand has named a heavily reinforced side. By restoring their world-class, battle-hardened starting front row and maintaining an elite spine, the All Blacks have built a formidable tactical bridge around Super Rugby’s crown jewel at first five-eighth.
The Forwards: World-Class Front Row Restored to Face Italian Scrum
1. Ethan de Groot (Highlanders)
Dave Rennie is taking absolutely no chances with his set-piece foundation this weekend. Reinstating the physical loosehead prop ensures the All Blacks maintain absolute scrummaging superiority over a notoriously tricky Italian pack. De Groot’s destructive scrummaging technique and relentless work rate in the tight exchanges will prevent Italy from gaining any emotional momentum up front, providing the essential horsepower needed to anchor this pack.
2. Codie Taylor (Crusaders)
The veteran hooker is retained to bring invaluable test-match maturity and seamless leadership to a slightly tweaked tight five. Taylor’s world-class lineout throwing and sharp rugby intellect are non-negotiable for ensuring clean primary possession in Wellington. Against a passionate Italian side, his ability to execute clinical breakdown turnovers and orchestrate the rolling maul provides a vital stabilizing presence.
3. Tyrel Lomax (Hurricanes)
Completing an elite, unchanged front row from the thrilling battle against France, Lomax remains the definitive cornerstone of the All Blacks’ tactical engine. Renowned as one of the finest tighthead scrummagers in the global game, his ability to neutralize aggressive loosehead props is legendary. Lomax’s low-slung power and defensive durability across the gainline ensure New Zealand controls the collisions from the opening whistle.
4. Tupou Vaa’i (Chiefs)
The athletic lock keeps his starting jersey to provide essential structural continuity in the second row. Vaa’i’s exceptional aerial abilities and high-volume tackling were crucial in blunting the heavy French pack last weekend. Rennie is relying on his established test engine to dominate the lineout sky while using his impressive mobility to support transitional attacks in the wide channels.
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (Blues)
Returning to full fitness after a minor calf strain, the towering veteran brings raw power and uncompromising physicality back to the tight five. Tuipulotu’s direct carrying style and aggressive defensive mapping are designed to fracture Italy’s interior defensive structures early in phases. His presence gives the pack an unmistakable edge, easing the physical workload on a youthful loose forward trio.
6. Wallace Sititi (Chiefs)
The 23-year-old breakout sensation shifts to the blindside flank to accommodate back-row tinkering while keeping his explosive carrying power on the park. Sititi’s unique ability to fracture the first tackle and unload miraculous offloads makes him a lethal asset in transition. His immense work rate ensures the All Blacks retain their signature world-class athletic edge in the loose channels.
7. Peter Lakai (Hurricanes)
The highly touted young loose forward gets a massive starting opportunity at openside. Lakai boasts an incredible defensive motor and elite low-to-the-ground jackaling skills, making him an absolute menace at the breakdown. Rennie wants him to disrupt Italy’s recycle speed, starving their playmakers of clean ball while showcasing his formidable dynamic carrying skills in open space.
8. Ardie Savea (Captain)
The newly appointed skipper remains at the base of the scrum to anchor the team’s emotional and tactical output. Savea’s legendary work rate, inspirational standard-setting, and explosive leg drive close to the line are irreplaceable. Keeping the captain on the field provides a critical psychological safety net for the younger backs, ensuring tactical composure throughout the match.
The Backline: Elite Playmakers Unleash Red-Hot Hurricanes Chemistry
9. Cameron Roigard (Hurricanes)
To maximize tactical cohesion for his first-five, Rennie relies on the golden Hurricanes halfback partnership. Roigard’s lightning-fast delivery from the base and booming left-footed kicking game are vital for controlling territory. His telepathic connection with Ruben Love ensures the All Blacks can instantly shift from cagey exit strategies to breathtaking counter-attacks without losing a single beat.
10. Ruben Love (Hurricanes)
The centerpiece of New Zealand’s long-term tactical evolution, Love keeps the coveted number ten jersey after a stunning domestic campaign. Moving away from heavy rotation here allows the 25-year-old maestro to build genuine international rhythm. His rare instinct to attack the line directly, paired with an increasingly polished tactical kicking game, makes him the ultimate threat to unlock Italy’s mid-field defense.
11. Caleb Clarke (Blues)
The powerhouse winger is retained on the left edge to provide the direct, brutal yards that wear down modern defenses. Clarke’s ability to act as an extra loose forward in heavy traffic gives the All Blacks an easy, high-impact exit option. His aerial security and clinical finishing under pressure ensure New Zealand maintains a lethal point of difference out wide.
12. Jordie Barrett (Hurricanes)
To safeguard Ruben Love’s international development, Jordie Barrett is retained at inside center to provide a world-class defensive screen and second-receiver option. Barrett’s booming long-range punting, physical gainline reliability, and elite distribution take immense pressure off his young fly-half. His presence creates a highly robust midfield bridge that allows the outside backs to flourish safely.
13. Billy Proctor (Hurricanes)
The Hurricanes midfield general slots into the 13 channel, further cementing the organic franchise chemistry lighting up this backline. Proctor is an elite defensive organizer, possessing the uncanny ability to read complex attacking shapes and suffocate outside breaks before they develop. His crisp distribution ensures the ball reaches the wide channels with absolute precision and perfect timing.
14. Will Jordan (Crusaders)
The world-class finisher is retained on the right wing as he closes in on historic All Blacks try-scoring records. Jordan’s freakish spatial awareness, elite top-end speed, and instinct for finding gaps out of nowhere make him an existential threat to Italy. His presence guarantees that any tactical errors or loose kicks from the visitors will be punished instantly.
15. Beauden Barrett (Blues)
Barrett is no stranger to the black jersey at either 10 or 15. Rennie adopted a dual-playmaker system last week with McKenzie at fullback and while the Chief may retain his spot I feel that Barrett should be given a chance against Italy. Barrett currently has 144 test caps and is just nine behind the record that Sam Whitelock holds. A run for Rennie in the squad would see him break the record by the end of the year.
