All Blacks named for Rugby World Cup pool match against Italy in Lyon

Sep 27 • General News, International, National, New Zealand, Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup News • 2059 Views • Comments Off on All Blacks named for Rugby World Cup pool match against Italy in Lyon

All Blacks selectors Ian Foster, Jason Ryan and Joe Schmidt have named the team for Friday’s Rugby World Cup pool match against Italy in Lyon.

The All Blacks will welcome back four players from injury and likely celebrate a special individual milestone for Test appearances. Both teams have everything to play for, making this an intriguing matchup in front of a crowd that is expected to be close to 60,000.

“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.”

Samuel Whitelock is in line to become the most-capped All Blacks Test player in history, after being named in the reserves. If the 34-year-old takes the field, he will surpass Richie McCaw’s record of 148 Test matches for the All Blacks, played between 2001 and 2015.

Whitelock is set to reach the milestone 13 years and three months after making his debut for the All Blacks in June 2010.

The game also marks the return of four players from injury. Midfielder Jordie Barrett and flanker Shannon Frizell are in the run-on side while Sam Cane and Tyrel Lomax are due to make their return from the bench.

Up front the selectors have included over 180 Test caps of experience between Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Codie Taylor and Nepo Laulala. Test centurion Brodie Retallick is joined by Scott Barrett in the second row while Ardie Savea will captain the side in a loose forward trio featuring Dalton Papali’i and Frizell.

The match will mark the first All Blacks Test in Lyon since the 2007 Rugby World Cup pool match against Portugal. With the team being based in Lyon for the tournament, it is fitting that next week’s final pool match against Uruguay will also be staged there.

“We have really enjoyed our time in Lyon and look forward to seeing many of the locals at the game on Friday,” added Foster. “We can’t thank them enough for the hospitality and support that they have shown us since we arrived at the start of the tournament.”

All Blacks match day 23 (Test caps in brackets)