Coach Steve Hansen warned: the All Blacks XV announced Thursday to face Italy Saturday is upset compared to the one beaten last week in Ireland with 11 changes, but confidence is maintained to the star opener Beauden Barrett and back Damien McKenzie.
The Barrett-McKenzie duo, however, did not sparkle in the first two games of the tour in Europe, with a narrow victory in England (16-15) and a historic defeat in Dublin (16-9).
Hansen's choice to prepare for the 2019 World Cup in Japan leaves Richie Mo'unga in good shape on the bench. "These are the three guys who, in the current state of things, are the best placed to go to the World Cup, so playing them together, whether at the beginning of the game or during the game, is important, " justified Hansen. "We do not have many games left (before the World Cup) so the more we play them together and the better," he added.
Captain and 3rd Line Kieran Read as well as flanker Ardie Savea are the two other players to keep their place of titular, Hansen having decided to give rest to his other executives. Jordie Barrett's starters on the right wing and Dane Coles, who takes up his position as hooker in a newlook first line with the Nepo Laulala and Ofa Tuungafasi pillars.
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The New Zealand XV against Italy on Saturday: McKenzie - J. Barrett, Lienert-Brown, Laumape, Naholo - (o) B. Barrett, (m) Perenara - Savea, Read (cap), Fifita - S. Barrett, Tuipulotu - Laulala, Coles, Tuungafasi
Replacements: Harris, Tu'inukuafe, Ta'avao, Retallick, Papalii, Tahuriorangi, Mo'unga, Ioane