All Blacks veterans Sam Cane and TJ Perenara will say farewell to representative rugby when they face Italy on Sunday in Turin.
Cane will go out wearing the No.7 jersey he has worn with distinction through 103 Tests, while Perenara is named on the bench in what will be his 89th Test appearance.
The All Blacks have named a near full strength side for their final game of their northern tour, a week after a close loss to France.
(Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Cane’s return creates a loose forward reshuffle, with Wallace Sititi slipping back into blindside and Ardie Savea going to No.8.
There are two further changes in the forwards, with prop Ethan de Groot and lock Patrick Tuipulotu coming into the starting line-up. Ofa Tu’ungafasi and Fletcher Newell will provide prop cover and Tupou Vaa’i will cover lock.
Tamaiti Williams was ruled out with a neck injury.
In the backs, Jordie Barrett has been also missed out due to a knee injury allows Anton Lienert-Brown start at inside centre and brings David Havili into the reserves. Mark Tele’a has recovered from his hand injury to reclaim the right wing.
“This Italy team has made a real impact on the international stage this year, with a strong showing in the Six Nations competition that included wins over Scotland and Wales and a draw against France. We know the passion this team will bring, so we are preparing for a physical and motivated Italy for our final Test of the tour,” said coach Scott Robertson.
“As our first ever match in Turin, our final match of the 2024 Test season, and the farewell match for Sam and TJ, this will be a great occasion. We are determined to finish our season in a way that honours and celebrates the immense contribution that Sam and TJ have made to the black jersey.”
Italy have never beaten the All Blacks in 17 attempts and the most recent clash saw the Kiwis thump them 96-17 at last year’s World Cup.
All Blacks match-day 23 (caps in brackets)
1. Ethan de Groot (28)
2. Codie Taylor (95) (Vice-Captain)
3. Tyrel Lomax (43)
4. Scott Barrett (79) (Captain)
5. Patrick Tuipulotu (50)
6. Wallace Sititi (9)
7. Sam Cane (103)
8. Ardie Savea (93) (Vice-Captain)
9. Cam Roigard (9)
10. Beauden Barrett (133)
11. Caleb Clarke (28)
12. Anton Lienert-Brown (83)
13. Rieko Ioane (80)
14. Mark Tele’a (18)
15. Will Jordan (40)
16. Asafo Aumua (19)
17. Ofa Tu’ungafasi (67)
18. Fletcher Newell (21)
19. Tupou Vaa’i (37)
20. Peter Lakai (2)
21. TJ Perenara (88)
22. David Havili (29)
23. Damian McKenzie (61)