New Zealand could get dumped out of the World Cup before the knockouts. I know, it’s probably not going to happen. But how wild is that? Before their loss to France in the opening game they’d never lost a group match at the World Cup.
But here we are. The greatest rugby nation of all time hanging on by their fingernails. Isn’t it great!?
That’s the question. Just look at that talent in the backline. Paolo Garbisi is one of the slickest 10s in the game and we all know how dangerous Ange Capuozzo can be when given half a chance.
But Michele Lamaro’s buddies up front have to earn enough front foot ball in the nasty spots on the pitch. Do that and they have a sniff.
Italy: Tommaso Allan; Ange Capuozzo, Juan Ignacio Brex, Luca Morisi, Montanna Ioane; Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Danilo Fischetti, Giacomo Nicotera, Marco Riccioni; Dino Lamb, Federico Ruzza; Sebastian Negri, Michele Lamaro (cap), Lorenzo Cannone
Replacements: Hame Faiva, Ivan Nemer, Simone Ferrari, Niccolo Cannone, Manuel Zuliani, Toa Halafihi, Martin Page-Relo, Paolo Odogwu
La formazione annunciata dal CT Kieran #Crowley per il terzo match dell' #RWC2023 contro la Nuova Zelanda ➡️ https://t.co/uVXOat070v#NZLvITA🇳🇿🇮🇹
— Italrugby (@Federugby) September 27, 2023
📍OL Stadium, Lione
⏱ 29 settembre, kick off ore 21.00
📺 @SkySport ▪️ @RaiDue ▪️ streaming @NOWTV_It #rugbypassioneitaliana pic.twitter.com/ydWqflkgHM
That is a serious side. There was talk that Richie Mo’unga would miss out but he starts at 10. Shannon Frizell returns to the back row and Sam Whitelock will become the most-capped All Black in history, overtaking Richie McCaw, when he comes off the bench, earning his 149th cap. Remarkable.
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett; Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Telea; Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Codie Taylor, Nepo Laulala; Brodie Retallick, Scott Barrett; Shannon Frizell, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea (cap)
Replacements: Dane Coles, Tamaiti Williams, Tyrel Lomax, Samuel Whitelock, Sam Cane, Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown
Your 23 to face Italy 🖤
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) September 27, 2023
Samuel Whitelock is set to play his 149th Test Match on Friday night. This will make him the most capped Test player in All Blacks history 🫡#AllBlacks pic.twitter.com/9QNTMrtZfv
One of two things is going to happen tonight. Either the rugby world is going to experience a seismic shock that will recalibrate everything we thought we knew about the game and likely lead to revolution in an archipelago nation in the South Pacific. Or it will be business as usual and all the pre-match hype will dissipate in an instant.
If you’re asking me, I’m predicting the latter.
In 15 matches across 36 years, the New Zealand All Blacks have never lost to Italy. One game is recorded as a draw, though that was at the 2019 World Cup when Typhoon Hagibis saw the sides share the points.
When they have played, it’s been pretty one-sided. Back at the 1999 World Cup New Zealand won by a staggering score of 101-3. There have been four other totals north of 70 and and five more between 50 and 69.
In fact, the closest Italy have come to an upset was in 2009 at the San Siro in Milan when they lost 20-6 to a second string All Blacks outfit.
But this is a different Italian side. Coached by the Kiwi Kieran Crowley – who won the 1987 World Cup after New Zealand kicked off their campaign with a win over Italy – they’ve found extra gears on attack and a greater tenacity in defence.
Will it pay off? Let’s find out together.
Kick off is at 9pm local time/8pm BST at the OL Stadium in Lyon.
Teams and other updates to follow.