LYON, France (AP) — Key Italy backs Tommaso Allan, Paolo Garbisi and Ange Capuozzo were rearranged again for the Rugby World Cup match against New Zealand on Friday.
The game is a must-win for both in the race for a quarterfinal berth from Pool A. Italy has never beaten the All Blacks.
Allan, Garbisi and Capuozzo were at 10, 12 and 15 — their club or natural positions — against Uruguay last week.
But coach Kieran Crowley on Wednesday put Allan back at fullback, Capuozzo on the wing, and Garbisi at flyhalf.
Lock Dino Lamb, scrumhalf Stephen Varney and inside center Luca Morisi were also back as starters after Uruguay was overcome 38-17 from 17-7 down at halftime last week.
The changes mean Italy was restored almost to the side which won its opening match against Namibia 52-8. The only difference was Saracen’s Marco Riccioni at tighthead prop instead of Benetton’s Simone Ferrari, who was in the reserves.
The bench was also freshened with the introduction of Hame Faiva, props Ivan Nemer and Ferrari, lock Niccolo Cannone, back-rower Toa Halafihi, and scrumhalf Martin Page-Relo.
“Precision and discipline will be fundamental,” Crowley said. “We will face this match with courage by continuing to strengthen our identity.”
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Italy: Tommaso Allan, Ange Capuozzo, Juan Ignacio Brex, Luca Morisi, Montanna Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney; Lorenzo Cannone, Michele Lamaro (captain), Sebastian Negri, Federico Ruzza, Dino Lamb, Marco Riccioni, Giacomo Nicotera, Danilo Fisichetti. Reserves: Hame Faiva, Ivan Nemer, Simone Ferrari, Niccolo Cannone, Manuel Zuliani, Toa Halafihi, Martin Page-Relo, Paolo Odogwu.
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AP Rugby World Cup: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
