New Zealand vs Italy Preview & Prediction | 2026 Nations Championship | Round 2
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After defeat to Japan in their opener, Italy travel to Wellington where they will take on an All Blacks side who edged Six Nations champions France in a thriller last week.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – ITV / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – ITVX / USA – RugbyPass TV
New Zealand team news: Five changes
Squad: McKenzie; Jordan, Proctor, Barrett, Carter; Love, Roigard; de Groot, Taylor, Lomax, Darry, Vaa'i, Sititi, Jacobson, Savea
Replacements: Taukei'aho, Bower, Tosi, Lord, Segner, Ratima, Lienert-Brown, Moorby
Italy team news: Allan & Lynagh recalled while Vintcent starts
Squad: Allan; Faissal, Brex, Menoncello, Lynagh; Garbisi, Varney; Cannone, Lamaro (capt), Vintcent; Zambonin, Cannone; Riccioni, Di Bartolomeo, Fischetti
Replacements: Lucchesi, Spagnolo, Hasa, Marini, Ruzza, Favretto, Garbisi, Marin
New Zealand vs Italy prediction
The inaugural Nations Championship began in thrilling fashion last week when New Zealand and France served up a superb contest in Christchurch, with the All Blacks sneaking a 34-32 victory.
Will Jordan crossed the line twice in a nine-try spectacle, as new All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie made a winning start to his tenure.
An error-strewn Italy fell victim to an exciting Japan side in Tokyo last week, with the Azzurri making an eye-watering 20 handling errors in the 27-10 defeat.
Given their encouraging Six Nations showing earlier in the year, it was a hugely disappointing start to the Nations Championship for Italy, and they could be on the end of a battering here unless they can cut out the sloppiness.
New Zealand have won all 17 previous matches between the two nations, and there have been some hugely one-sided affairs over the years. The respective performances of both sides last week don't fill us with confidence in Italy's ability to avoid another hiding here, especially with this match taking place on All Blacks turf.
New Zealand vs Italy tip: New Zealand to win with -31 handicap
