The All Blacks will be looking for another big win this weekend when they travel to Rome to take on the Italians.
The visitors have brought a pretty big squad along with them on their European jaunt and we could well see a number of changes to the side that beat Wales 16-54 at the Principality last weekend.
Italy v New Zealand
Saturday 6 November
Stadio Olimpico
15:00
To Win Match
Italy 66/1 | Draw 45/1 | New Zealand N/A
Handicap
Italy (+56.5) 9/10 | New Zealand (-56.5) 9/10
That final Rugby Championship defeat to the Springboks has seemingly stoked the All Blacks’ embers as they have handed out hidings in the two fixtures that followed that 29-31 loss. Their first victims were an understrength United States side who were pummelled 104 -14. It was then the turn of a weakened Welsh side who went down 16-54.
Unlike the All Blacks’ last two opponents, the Italians will be at full strength this weekend as this fixture, unlike the last two, falls within the international Test window.
The above is unlikely to strike fear into the tourists, however, especially considering that they have won four out of their last five clashes with the Italians by more than 55 points.
Things get even gloomier for the hosts when you look at their form this year. They lost all of their Six Nations fixtures by more than 20 points and conceded 174 points while only registering 62 in the competition.
While the Italians are likely to field their strongest possible side, the All Blacks will probably look to give a couple of rookies some game time with Quinn Tupaea a possible starter for the weekend.
Verdict: New Zealand (-56.5) 9/10
New Zealand are scintillating on attack at the minute and I can’t see the Italians remaining within the cap.
