Shannon Frizell of New Zealand in action against the Wallabies. 2023. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
The All Blacks have welcomed back four players from injury for Saturday morning's World Cup pool match against Italy in Lyon.
Sam Cane, Shannon Frizell, Tyrel Lomax and Jordie Barrett will all make their return with Sam Whitelock set to win a record 149th cap off the bench.
Frizell and Barrett will line up in the starting team at blindside flanker and second five-eighth for their first appearances of the tournament, while regular captain Cane and prop Lomax will make their returns from the bench.
Ardie Savea will captain the side from number eight, while Dalton Papali'i was named to start at openside flanker as Cane is eased back after being a late withdrawal from the opening loss to France.
All Blacks Tyrel Lomax. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Lock Whitelock will surpass former captain Richie McCaw as the most-capped All Black if he comes off the bench to replace one of the starting second-row duo, Brodie Retallick and Scott Barrett.
"Italy is growing in confidence after winning their first two games and they represent a massive challenge for us after coming off our bye week," said head coach Ian Foster. "We fully respect their growth over the last two years and are expecting a huge game with both teams having everything to play for."
Up front the selectors have included over 180 Test caps of experience between Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Codie Taylor and Nepo Laulala.
Meanwhile Italy has made three changes to their team with Dino Lamb, Luca Morisi and Stephen Varney returning to the squad seeking a first ever win over the All Blacks.
Coach Kieran Crowley has reverted back to almost the same side which defeated Namibia, which sees Paolo Garbisi back at flyhalf, Tommaso Allan in the fullback position and wing Ange Capuozzo as part of their attacking backline selection.
The only change from that opening 52-8 win over Namibia sees prop Marco Riccioni, who played in the victory over Uruguay, in for Simone Ferrari.
New Zealand team: 15-Beauden Barrett, 14-Will Jordan, 13-Rieko Ioane, 12-Jordie Barrett, 11-Mark Telea, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 9-Aaron Smith, 8-Ardie Savea (captain), 7-Dalton Papali'i, 6-Shannon Frizell, 5-Scott Barrett, 4-Brodie Retallick , 3-Nepo Laulala, 2-Codie Taylor, 1-Ofa Tu'ungafasi
Replacements: 16-Dane Coles, 17-Tamaiti Williams, 18-Tyrel Lomax, 19-Sam Whitelock, 20-Sam Cane, 21-Cam Roigard, 22-Damian McKenzie, 23-Anton Leinart-Brown.
-RNZ/Reuters
