STEVE HANSEN HAS made 12 changes to the side that lost to Ireland last weekend ahead of their Test match against Italy.
Rieko Ioane and Liam Coltman are set to make their New Zealand debuts as two of the numerous changes for Saturday’s match.
Ireland beat the All Blacks 40-29 in Chicago on Saturday, a defeat which ended their tier-one record run of 18 consecutive Test wins.
While Ioane and Coltman were named in the matchday 23, Sam Cane will captain a much-changed team at the Stadio Olimpico.
Damian McKenzie gets his first Test start at full-back, while Wyatt Crockett and Charlie Faumuina also come into the XV.
“On behalf of the entire All Blacks squad, we want to congratulate Liam and Rieko on their elevation to the matchday 23 for the first time,” All Blacks coach Steve Hansen said.
“They have both worked incredibly hard and deserve their opportunity.
“Whilst we have made a number of changes, as we indicated, we will be looking for a massive improvement in our performance from last weekend.
“Italy will bring their own unique flavour to the game. They have a big, strong forward pack and some really exciting backs. They will look to drive their maul and be as disruptive as possible.
“Therefore, we will have to be clinical and effective in all aspects of our game, starting with our set-piece. We are also expecting to see an improvement in our kicking game.”
New Zealand:
1. Wyatt Crockett
2. Codie Taylor
3. Charlie Faumuina
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Scott Barrett
6. Elliot Dixon
7. Sam Cane (captain)
8. Steven Luatua
9. Tawera Kerr-Barlow
10. Aaron Cruden
11. Waisake Naholo
12. Anton Lienert-Brown
13. Malakai Fekitoa
14. Israel Dagg
15. Damien McKenzie
Replacements:
16. Liam Coltman
17. Joe Moody
18. Ofa Tu’ungafasi
19. Brodie Retallick
20. Matt Todd
21. Aaron Smith
22. Lima Sopoaga
23. Rieko Ioane
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dont really belive in this “best player in the world” crap tbh especially young player or in certain positions,its just too hard to gauge but hazard is certainly up there
and yes before people say it messi and ronaldo are streets ahead but its rarely been so easy to call !!
Hazard is a world class player, I’m a United fan and would love to have him on the team, I watched the match against city last night and he had a great game, skipping by players, holding onto the ball. While not quite on the same level as messi or ronaldo yet, he has got the ability to be up there with the best, maybe in 5 years time probably the best player in the world? If he keeps going the way he’s going he’ll without a doubt be on top, I can’t wait to see the moment everyone realises that this guy could be number 1
yeah absolutely keith i hope you didnt think i was saying anything contrary to what you just said,i agree he has the potential to be world class and maybe the best in the world i just dont really belive in that title too much
for example take messi and ronaldo out of it and there are easily a dozen players you could argue are “the best in the world” and as for saying hazard is the best young player in the world,im sure fans of every league would have a different answer,pogba in serie A.gotze in bundesliga and any of a number in spain could you really say he is better than them is my point
Jon Flanaghan anybody!!
Nah Hazard is gifted in fairness
He is world class at 23 so who knows how far he will go…
What about that jacuzzi diver at yanited???
Hazard is outstanding but needs to add more goals
The kid dived I say about twice, the kid only 18 !! Years ahead of him…. Once he gets a grip of the game better, he will be a class act.
d11 do you actually support liverpool supporter or just hate united ?? you are a hateful idiot,juanazj is class and will be world class he dived once or twice about the same as that myth of a player you probably masturbate to steven gerrrard
Unbalivable Player, One to keep an eye on in the future :)
Fap fap fap fap fap fap fap…….
He certainly has the potential. Remember this goal against Man Utd last year in the FA Cup – http://goo.gl/EI5kZv Wow!