@ShaquilleOatmeal said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@Kiwiwomble said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@ShaquilleOatmeal Kirifi?
*Lakai. Brain fart there.
It looks like they are rotating the squad? Newell, Aumua, Numia, Lakai, Tupaea, Clarke.
@brodean said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@Kiwiwomble said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@ShaquilleOatmeal Kirifi?
*Lakai. Brain fart there.
It looks like they are rotating the squad? Newell, Aumua, Numia, Lakai, Tupaea, Clarke.
I'd say that is correct. There aren't many opportunities to give the squad time before the August Tour.
@brodean said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@Kiwiwomble said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@ShaquilleOatmeal Kirifi?
*Lakai. Brain fart there.
It looks like they are rotating the squad? Newell, Aumua, Numia, Lakai, Tupaea, Clarke.
I would’ve thought they’d stick with Lakai, given last week was his first ever start at blindside. But maybe they really don’t think the numbers on the jerseys matter at all or they’re trying to work out who’s best suited to the role as they see it. The other players are known quantities so it makes a little more sense to rotate there.
@taniwharugby said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
It would appear there might be players who wont play at all through these 3 NC games?
I kind of hope so. I’d much rather they worked on giving those that need it experience, find the best lineup and work on combinations than just gave everyone a run. Assuming everyone in this week’s team gets aim the field, it’s only Parker, Preston and Beauden Barrett yet to feature, though.
@Kiwiwomble said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@ShaquilleOatmeal fair, same with QT for me....new (ish) to a position and gone after one game
too be clear, still think largely good team
I think they mentioned QT was a bit beaten up. I think they wanted to see him at 13 to see if he was a viable option alongside Proctor.
After this weekend they should have a better idea of where each stands.
@1kiwi said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Best thing about this team, no Beauden Barrett once again
I am very pleased the spine of hooker, 8, halfback, ten and fullback has remained the same.
Basically happy with that 23 to take on Italy.
Might have been a good one to have given Preston some time at half back. The drop off in that position after Cam Roigard is massive.
@Dan54 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Guess that shows why you not an AB selector or coach, if you wasted picks like that. You would just put him on coaching staff.
He's got a big fat playing contract.
How they handle that is tricky business, if you don't want to use him.
Not like the old days; you'd just say thanks for your efforts, goodbye.
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Have they said anything about Lakai and if that’s an injury replacement, rotation or searching for the right loose forward combination?
Numia, Aumua and Lakai have had massive workloads this year so probably a good chance for them to freshen up like they’ve done with Tosi.
@Canes4life said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@ShaquilleOatmeal said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Have they said anything about Lakai and if that’s an injury replacement, rotation or searching for the right loose forward combination?
Numia, Aumua and Lakai have had massive workloads this year so probably a good chance for them to freshen up like they’ve done with Tosi.
They've also made it clear they are going to give players selected in the 34 a run so this ticks that off too
Watching DSPN and they’re saying it’s a little conservative. Totally disagree. You’ve got 3 tests to bed in the new coaching before the tour. Need to get consistency while having a look at the positions they’re not 100% sold on.
Beauden won’t play until he rolls out with the dirt trackers.
Someone like Quinn probably needs a rest. Caleb didn’t go so great so compare him to Leroy.
Always love to see an AB team with future captain Sam Darry. FCSD.
@game_film said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Always love to see an AB team with future captain Sam Darry. FCSD.
Was watching the top 100 NZ songs on RNZ and spotted this in one of the videos.
@game_film said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Watching DSPN and they’re saying it’s a little conservative. Totally disagree. You’ve got 3 tests to bed in the new coaching before the tour. Need to get consistency while having a look at the positions they’re not 100% sold on.
Beauden won’t play until he rolls out with the dirt trackers.
Someone like Quinn probably needs a rest. Caleb didn’t go so great so compare him to Leroy.
Always love to see an AB team with future captain Sam Darry. FCSD.
By ‘conservative’, they mean it’s not a complete B team that’ll play chaotic rugby and make the game worthless for evaluating players.
My own slight complaints are Taylor at hooker and ALB on the bench. Otherwise pretty good team for Italy.
@mariner4life said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
oh good so BB v Ireland? When has that ever gone wrong?
Let's hope it is just a brief cameo and a farewell from the bench.
I really dislike the way he is blocking younger talent from the squad, but maybe a standing ovation from Eden Park as he comes on with four minutes to go against Ireland would be a fitting way for a once (and it was a decade ago) great All Black to end his international career?
@sparky said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@mariner4life said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
oh good so BB v Ireland? When has that ever gone wrong?
Let's hope it is just a brief cameo and a farewell from the bench.
I really dislike the way he is blocking younger talent from the squad, but maybe a standing ovation from Eden Park as he comes on with four minutes to go against Ireland would be a fitting way for a once (and it was a decade ago) great All Black to end his international career?
I'd still be very surprised if he doesn't travel to South Africa, but Eden Park could be his last Test.
Italy team to play New Zealand
Starting XV
@Daffy-Jaffy said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Italy team to play New Zealand
Starting XV
- Danilo Fischetti
- Tommaso Di Bartolomeo
- Marco Riccioni
- Niccolò Cannone
- Andrea Zambonin
- Ross Vintcint
- Michele Lamaro (C)
- Lorenzo Cannone
- Stephen Varney
- Paolo Garbisi
- Louis Lynach
12. Tommaso Menoncello- Juan Ignacio Brex
- Malik Faissal
- Tommaso Allan
Reserves- Gianmarco Lucchesi
- Mirco Spagnolo
- Muhamed Hasa
- Giulio Marini *
- Federico Ruzza
- Riccardo Favretto
- Alessandro Garbisi
- Leonardo Marin
- Denotes uncapped
Class player, potential to be the best in the world.
Here’s a stat, Roigard, Love, J Barrett and Proctor have a 91% winning record when starting together. Hope that carries on well into the future.
@Victor-Meldrew said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Italy are developing some pretty classy players these days and are no longer easy-beats. Lamoro and Garbisi are also up there.
Think Saturday's game will be a fun watch and maybe a bit closer than expected
Think it depends on the weather. Wouldn't be surprised if it ends up a bit like the last time Italy came to NZ.
@Canes4life said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Here’s a stat, Roigard, Love, J Barrett and Proctor have a 91% winning record when starting together. Hope that carries on well into the future.
Your loyalty knows no bounds 
@zedsdeadbaby said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
The Rugby Direct guys mentioned a stat that it’s the first time Jacobson has started back to back test weeks.
That is true.
He has started 11 tests and has only started in consecutive tests back in 2021, but there was a 3 week gap between those tests.
@BerniesCorner said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@Canes4life said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Here’s a stat, Roigard, Love, J Barrett and Proctor have a 91% winning record when starting together. Hope that carries on well into the future.
Your loyalty knows no bounds
Sky Sport shared it on the test preview show, thought it would be rude not to share. 
@mariner4life said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
oh good so BB v Ireland? When has that ever gone wrong?
And he’ll play the house down and start the first Boks test.
@ACT-Crusader I used to think you were a good guy
@ACT-Crusader that is his hair
@MN5 said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@Daffy-Jaffy said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
Italy team to play New Zealand
Starting XV
- Danilo Fischetti
- Tommaso Di Bartolomeo
- Marco Riccioni
- Niccolò Cannone
- Andrea Zambonin
- Ross Vintcint
- Michele Lamaro (C)
- Lorenzo Cannone
- Stephen Varney
- Paolo Garbisi
- Louis Lynach
12. Tommaso Menoncello- Juan Ignacio Brex
- Malik Faissal
- Tommaso Allan
Reserves- Gianmarco Lucchesi
- Mirco Spagnolo
- Muhamed Hasa
- Giulio Marini *
- Federico Ruzza
- Riccardo Favretto
- Alessandro Garbisi
- Leonardo Marin
- Denotes uncapped
Class player, potential to be the best in the world.
Hmmm, I love cold glass of Menoncello as a digestif.
@ACT-Crusader said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
@mariner4life said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:
oh good so BB v Ireland? When has that ever gone wrong?
And he’ll play the house down and start the first Boks test.
4 tries and hold the ABs record
I’m more interested in what the pass mark is this week than the final margin.
I’d be looking at the quality of the performance: keeping Italy to maybe 15 points or fewer while winning comfortably, dominating the set piece and breakdown, being clinical with scoring opportunities, avoiding individual greed once the result is beyond doubt, cutting down the errors from last week, controlling territory and possession and controlling the game for the full 80 minutes.
