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.

@Mr-Fish my assumption was anyone in the currently squad is odds on to tour unless they completely shit the bed

Italy team to play New Zealand
Starting XV

1. Danilo Fischetti
2. Tommaso Di Bartolomeo
3. Marco Riccioni
4. Niccolò Cannone
5. Andrea Zambonin
6. Ross Vintcint
7. Michele Lamaro (C)
8. Lorenzo Cannone
9. Stephen Varney
10. Paolo Garbisi
11. Louis Lynach
12. Tommaso Menoncello
13. Juan Ignacio Brex
14. Malik Faissal
15. Tommaso Allan
    Reserves
16. Gianmarco Lucchesi
17. Mirco Spagnolo
18. Muhamed Hasa
19. Giulio Marini *
20. Federico Ruzza
21. Riccardo Favretto
22. Alessandro Garbisi
23. Leonardo Marin

• Denotes uncapped

No Monty Ioane

@Daffy-Jaffy said in 2026 Nations Championship: All Blacks v Italy:

Italy team to play New Zealand
Starting XV

1. Danilo Fischetti
2. Tommaso Di Bartolomeo
3. Marco Riccioni
4. Niccolò Cannone
5. Andrea Zambonin
6. Ross Vintcint
7. Michele Lamaro (C)
8. Lorenzo Cannone
9. Stephen Varney
10. Paolo Garbisi
11. Louis Lynach
    12. Tommaso Menoncello
12. Juan Ignacio Brex
13. Malik Faissal
14. Tommaso Allan
    Reserves
15. Gianmarco Lucchesi
16. Mirco Spagnolo
17. Muhamed Hasa
18. Giulio Marini *
19. Federico Ruzza
20. Riccardo Favretto
21. Alessandro Garbisi
22. Leonardo Marin

• Denotes uncapped

Class player, potential to be the best in the world.

@MN5

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

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:

@MN5

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.

The Rugby Direct guys mentioned a stat that it’s the first time Jacobson has started back to back test weeks.

@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

@Bones dry powder kegs and a massive bag of cotton wool were seen outside Beaudie’s place

@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

1. Danilo Fischetti
2. Tommaso Di Bartolomeo
3. Marco Riccioni
4. Niccolò Cannone
5. Andrea Zambonin
6. Ross Vintcint
7. Michele Lamaro (C)
8. Lorenzo Cannone
9. Stephen Varney
10. Paolo Garbisi
11. Louis Lynach
    12. Tommaso Menoncello
12. Juan Ignacio Brex
13. Malik Faissal
14. Tommaso Allan
    Reserves
15. Gianmarco Lucchesi
16. Mirco Spagnolo
17. Muhamed Hasa
18. Giulio Marini *
19. Federico Ruzza
20. Riccardo Favretto
21. Alessandro Garbisi
22. Leonardo Marin

• Denotes uncapped

Class player, potential to be the best in the world.

Hmmm, I love cold glass of Menoncello as a digestif.