New Zealand Rugby have confirmed five starting changes for Saturday’s Nations Championship Test against Italy in Wellington, with prop Tyrel Lomax set to win his 50th cap and two uncapped players named on the bench.
According to the official team announcement from New Zealand Rugby, Lomax is joined in the starting XV by lock Tupou Vaa’i, flanker Wallace Sititi, centre Billy Proctor and wing Leroy Carter, with Ardie Savea again captaining the side from No 8. German-born loose forward Anton Segner and back Josh Moorby are both in line to debut from the bench, confirming Thursday’s team naming in which head coach Dave Rennie included the pair as debutants in waiting.
Dave Rennie Says New Zealand Rugby Expects A ‘Different Creature’
Rennie is refusing to read anything into Italy’s opening defeat to Japan in Tokyo. “They’ll be a different creature,” he told reporters in Wellington, as reported by RugbyPass. “Maybe they underestimated Japan. It’s pretty hot conditions over there at this time of year, and maybe they had an eye towards this game, so we won’t make the same mistake. We’re well aware of their ability.”
“This is a strong side to reflect the respect we have for this Italian team,” Rennie added in New Zealand Rugby’s announcement, while scrum coach Jason Ryan warned that “Italy are phenomenal, especially their scrum”.
Gonzalo Quesada’s Azzurri have made three changes for the trip to Hnry Stadium, where French referee Luc Ramos takes charge. Victory would make it two wins from two for the All Blacks — with world rugby rankings points on the line in round two — before Ireland arrive next weekend.
