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Major changes in All Blacks starting line-up against Italy

Major changes in All Blacks starting line-up against Italy
Waisake Naholo moves from the right to the left wing.

Major changes have been made to the All Blacks' starting lineup in the wake of the side's historic loss to Ireland last weekend.

Coach Steve Hansen has made 12 changes to the starting 15 for Sunday's test against Italy in Rome with two debutants also named on the bench.

There is an entirely different front row.

Wyatt Crockett and Charlie Faumuina are the props with Codie Taylor getting his third test start as hooker.

Lock Scott Barrett gets his debut start in his second test alongside Patrick Tuipolotu with Brodie Retallick who is returning from concussion on the bench.

Elliot Dixon earns his third cap.

He will start at blindside with the recalled Steven Luatua at No 8 and openside Sam Cane taking over the captaincy from Kieran Read.

It is the second time Cane will captain skipper the side and the first time Luatua has represented the All Blacks since 2014.

Halfback Tawera Kerr‑Barlow makes just his second test start.

Aaron Cruden starts at first‑five with Lima Sopoaga on the bench.

Anton Lienart‑Brown appears to have moved ahead of Malaki Fekitoa in the All Blacks midfield pecking order.

Waisake Naholo moves from the right to the left wing in place of Julian Savea, with Israel Dagg, who missed the Irish test, on the right wing.

Fullback Damian McKenzie gets his first test start and just his second cap, with Ben Smith getting a rest and dropping out of the match day 23.

Nineteen‑year‑old wing Rieko Ioane is set to make his debut from the bench along with reserve hooker Liam Coltman.

The All Blacks will meet Italy on Sunday at 3am.

The match day 23 is (with Test caps in brackets):

1. Wyatt Crockett (55)

2. Codie Taylor (12)

3. Charlie Faumuina (43)

4. Patrick Tuipulotu (11)

5. Scott Barrett (1)

6. Elliot Dixon (2)

7. Sam Cane ‑ captain (38)

8. Steven Luatua (14)

9. Tawera Kerr‑Barlow (24)

10. Aaron Cruden (44)

11. Waisake Naholo (9)

12. Anton Lienert‑Brown (6)

13. Malakai Fekitoa (21)

14. Israel Dagg (58)

15. Damian McKenzie (1)

16. Liam Coltman *

17. Joe Moody (21)

18. Ofa Tu'ungafasi (3)

19. Brodie Retallick (57)

20. Matt Todd (6)

21. Aaron Smith (55)

22. Lima Sopoaga (5)

23. Rieko Ioane

Source: Radio NZ

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