LYON (AP) – Key Italy backs Tommaso Allan, Paolo Garbisi and Ange Capuozzo were rearranged again for the Rugby World Cup match against New Zealand tomorrow.
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 yesterday put Allan back at fullback, Capuozzo on the wing, and Garbisi at flyhalf.
Lock Dino Lamb, scrumhalf Stephen Varney and inside centre 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.
