Rugby Test: Italians Up Against Kiwis

27.06.2009
Italy v New Zealand in Christchurch

Venue: Jade Stadium

Preview
Italy will finish its 2008-09 season with this test against New Zealand after two tiring tests against Australia. They did well to hold onto Australia in their two test matches across the ditch. If they take their opportunities they could well get within twenty points of this All Black side.

New Zealand won well against France last weekend in very poor conditions for rugby. They have added a few players back from injury and have given a number of bench players a start with the up coming Tri Nations series in mind. It will be another test for a new Zealand side nowhere near full strength.

Last Five Encounters
08.09.2007 New Zealand 76-14 in Marseilles (World Cup, Pool C)
13.11.2004 New Zealand 59-10 in Rome
11.10.2003 New Zealand 70-7 in Melbourne (World Cup, Pool D)
08.06.2002 New Zealand 65-10 in Hamilton
25.11.2000 New Zealand 56-19 in Rome

GWC Rugby Rankings: World Table-New Zealand 1st, Italy 10th

Prediction: New Zealand to win by 25 points, struggling to gain rhythm against an improving Azzuri.

Teams:

New Zealand
15 Mils Muliaina (capt), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Josevata Rokocoko, 10 Luke McAlister, 9 Brendon Leonard, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Owen Franks, 19 Bryn Evans, 20 George Whitelock, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Cory Jane.

Italy
15 Luke McLean, 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Craig Gower, 9 Tito Tebaldi, 8 Sergio Parisse (captain), 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Ignacio Rouyet, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Salvatore Perugini.
Replacements: 16 Franco Sbaraglini, 17 Fabio Staibano, 18 Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 19 Simone Favaro, 20 Giulio Toniolatti, 21 Kristopher Burton, 22 Matteo Pratichetti.

Team lists from http://www.planetrugby.com/story/0,25883,3551_5401614,00.html