Cane on bench, Ardie Savea to captain as All Blacks bring back injured quartet for must-win clash against Italy

Sam Cane will start on the bench, with the All Blacks naming a quartet of injured players to return in Saturday's must-win pool match against Italy at Lyon.

The 31-year-old has not played at this year's World Cup, after suffering a back injury in the lead-in to the All Blacks' tournament-opening loss to France.

After missing out on the All Blacks victory over Namibia, Cane will be eased back into the side, starting on the bench, as Dalton Papali'i retains the No.7 jersey.

Ardie Savea will continue to captain the side, while Shannon Frizell returns to the starting side at blindside flanker.

Frizell has also been absent from the World Cup, after suffering a hamstring injury before the tournament.

Jordie Barrett will start in the No.12 jersey, after battling a knee injury, partnering with Rieko Ioane in the midfield.

Prop Tyrel Lomax is another to return on the bench, after a cut to his leg in the All Blacks' warm-up defeat to South Africa at Twickenham.

With Ethan de Groot banned for a red card against Namibia, Ofa Tu'ungafasi starts in the front row, joining Codie Taylor and Nepo Laulala, while rookie Tamaiti Williams will also start on the bench.

Scott Barrett and Brodie Retallick have been named as the locking pair, with Sam Whitelock on the bench, as he looks to surpass Richie McCaw as New Zealand's most-capped player.

Aaron Smith starts at halfback, while Cam Roigard has beaten Finlay Christie to take the back-up spot on the bench.

Richie Mo'unga and Beauden Barrett start as first-five and fullback respectively, while Damian McKenzie will cover both from the bench.

Meanwhile, Uruguay beat Namibia 36-26 this morning.

The All Blacks will take on Italy at 7am Saturday at Lyon.

All Blacks: 1-Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 2-Codie Taylor, 3-Nepo Laulala, 4-Brodie Retallick, 5-Scott Barrett, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Dalton Papali'i, 8-Ardie Savea (c), 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-Mark Telea, 12-Jordie Barrett, 13-Rieko Ioane, 14-Will Jordan, 15-Beauden Barrett

Reserves: 16-Dane Coles, 17-Tamaiti Williams, 18-Tyrel Lomax, 19-Sam Whitelock, 20-Sam Cane, 21-Cam Roigard, 22-Damian McKenzie, 23-Anton Lienert-Brown

Newshub.co.nz