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Rugby

New Zealand make 12 changes as they prepare to face Italy

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has made a total of 12 changes to his starting line-up as the...



New Zealand make 12 changes as...
Rugby

New Zealand make 12 changes as they prepare to face Italy

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has made a total of 12 changes to his starting line-up as the world champions look to get back to winning ways in Rome.

Conor O'Shea's Italy welcome an all-blacks side looking to rebound from their first loss in 19 games against Ireland last weekend.

Sam Cane will captain the side for only the second time in his career with Kieran Read rested.

Elsewhere Auckland Blues' Steven Luatua starts at number 8 with Scott Barrett replacing Jerome Kaino in the second row.

Tawera Kerr-Barlow and Aaron Cruden are the half-back pairing while Israel Dagg comes in on the wing for Julian Savea.

The 2014 world player of the year Brodie Retallick returns to the bench after being out of action due to concussion. The New Zealander suffered the injury after an incident with Australia's Dean Mumm during the third Bledisloe Cup match in October. 

Inspirational captain Sergio Parisse will lead Italy into battle in a side containing eleven players from either Treviso or Zebre. 

The last time the two sides met, New Zealand won 42-10 in 2012. In 1999, the all-blacks beat the Italians 101-3. 

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