Azzurri ambush awaits All Blacks

Italian coach Nick Mallett was nowhere to be seen.

 

Manager Carlo Checchinato read out the team to play the All Blacks, stood up, and left.

About 50 journalists from Italy and New Zealand scratched their heads and wondered who to ask about a side containing only two changes from the one started in the 27-6 loss in Christchurch five months ago.

If Mallett is planning to ambush the All Blacks at San Siro Stadium tomorrow morning he's not doing a half-bad job.

Italy arrived quietly in Milan two days before the match having left the All Blacks to the distractions of the fashion capital of the world.

It isn't a bad tactic. Do 80,000 passionate Italians lie in wait for New Zealand's second stringers?

If Italy can make a strong start, create nerves among the ranks of the visitors' rookies – Ben Smith, Tamati Ellison and Mike Delany are debutants – anything is possible.

It has been left to the All Blacks coaches to try and ram home the magnitude of a match that will create history at AC Milan's home ground.

Assistant Wayne Smith has spoken of how the Italians will cry during the national anthem.

"It will be passionate – it's our job as coaches to try and relay that to our players."

If they can't it could quickly become a tricky night.

The Italian side is experienced at test level. Their pack boasts 360 test caps to the All Blacks 125.

It has been strengthened since the sides last met. Leicester tighthead Martin Castogiovanni is fresh from destroying South Africa's midweek front row.

Experienced Viadana lock Carlo Antonio Del Fava is the only other change.

His South African locking partner Quintin Geldenhuys said the Italians had taken heart from his former countrymen's three wins over the All Blacks during the Tri-Nations.

Muscular wing Mirco Bergamasco confirmed the side had focused on its kick and chase game during the week.

"We realise the first 20 minutes of this match are especially important in how we must play," he said.

The Azzurri are sure to play a conservative game early, bombing All Blacks debutant Smith's wing and chasing like men possessed.

They will attack the set piece and instruct Aussie first five-eighth Craig Gower to prod short attacking kicks in behind the All Blacks backline.

Most importantly they will call on the stands for an extra lift.

The task for the All Blacks young side is to block it all out and use their superior skill, especially in the backs, to out-gun their opposition in the second half.

There will be most interest in how rookie first five-eighth Delany stands up to test rugby.

His instructions will be to put his side on the front foot before trying too much as was the case in Christchurch in June.

The match should provide a guide of the progress of flankers Liam Messam and Tanerau Latimer, and a chance for second five-eighth Luke McAlister to put his test career back on track.

Italy and New Zealand have met 11 times in tests.

In recent history the contests have been lopsided, a 76-14 thrashing only two years ago.

If emotion and occasion count for anything this test will be memorable and probably a lot closer.

- © Fairfax NZ News