All Blacks name strong side for Italy clash, Beauden Barrett omitted again
All Blacks prepare for Italy in Nations Championship
The All Blacks have announced their squad to face Italy in Wellington, with a notable absence being experienced playmaker Beauden Barrett for the second consecutive week. Barrett, a veteran of 144 Test matches, was not selected for the recent 34-42 victory over France in Christchurch. Despite carrying a quadriceps injury during the latter part of the Blues’ season, he has not been listed with an injury during the All Blacks’ current Nations Championship campaign.
Ruben Love will retain the No. 10 jersey, with Damian McKenzie continuing at fullback. The selectors have largely maintained the core of the team that displayed attacking potential, scoring five tries against France. While there are five changes to the starting lineup, the bench features significant alterations, with back-up halfback Cortez Ratima being the only player retained from the previous week’s reserves.
Captain Ardie Savea will remain at No. 8, and Luke Jacobson will continue in the No. 7 jersey. Wallace Sititi, who was on the bench last weekend, will start at blindside flanker, replacing Peter Lakai. In the front row, Tyrel Lomax is the sole change at tighthead prop. Tupou Vaa’i, who was unavailable last weekend due to concussion, will replace Josh Lord at lock, partnering with Sam Darry. Lord will be among the reserves.
The continuity extends to Cam Roigard at halfback and Jordie Barrett at second-five. Jordie Barrett will have a new centre partner in Billy Proctor, who comes in for Quinn Tupaea. Leroy Carter will wear the No. 11 jersey, replacing Caleb Clarke, while Will Jordan, who scored two tries last weekend, will again start on the right wing.
Debut opportunities and strategic selections
The upcoming match against Italy could see two players make their Test debuts: outside back Josh Moorby and flanker Anton Segner, both named on the bench. Head coach Dave Rennie expressed enthusiasm for these potential debuts, noting that both players have earned their opportunity. He also congratulated Tyrel Lomax on reaching his 50th All Blacks Test.
Hurricanes wing Fehi Fineanganofo, who debuted off the bench against France, is unavailable due to a shoulder strain. Loose forward Simon Parker and lock Patrick Tuipulotu are also not included in the squad. Tuipulotu was withdrawn from the France match due to calf tightness. The return of Vaa’i is considered a boost, particularly with Scott Barrett (back) and Fabian Holland (shoulder) currently sidelined due to injury.
The All Blacks’ attacking play against France, while promising, also highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in cohesion under pressure and defensive solidity, having conceded four tries and 32 points. Refining these aspects will be crucial as they prepare for a challenge against Ireland at Eden Park in the following week, where Beauden Barrett might potentially return to the Test arena, though a lack of recent game time could be a factor.
Coach Rennie emphasised the respect the team has for Italy, acknowledging their capability to challenge any team, as demonstrated in the Six Nations competition where they finished fourth and defeated England in Rome. Italy is currently ranked 10th in the world. This match is part of the new Nations Championship, a competition structured to make every Test match significant, with points contributing to overall standings and a place in the finals series in London.
The Nations Championship features 12 teams divided into two conferences. The Southern Hemisphere Conference includes Argentina, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji, and Japan. Each team plays all six teams from the opposite conference once, with three home and three away matches. The All Blacks’ home Tests this July are against France, Italy, and Ireland. The remaining three Tests will be played in the Northern Hemisphere in November.
The competition uses a standard World Rugby points system: four points for a win, two for a draw, and zero for a loss. Bonus points are awarded for scoring four or more tries, or for losing by fewer than eight points. This system ensures that every match, including the upcoming fixture in Wellington, carries significant weight in the race for a spot in the Nations Championship Final at Twickenham on 29 November 2026.
Italy, as one of the twelve founding teams and part of the Northern Hemisphere Conference, will be seeking to earn points to climb their conference ladder. The Azzurri arrive in Wellington directly from Japan. This match is a critical part of the All Blacks’ inaugural Nations Championship campaign.
Source: allblacks.com
