All Blacks v Italy: Live coverage and commentary

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Author: Alex Powell, Christopher Reive , Samuel Sherry,
Publish Date: Sat, 11 Jul 2026, 3:59pm

Will Jordan of the All Blacks celebrates his try with Wallace Sititi of the All Blacks during the 2026 Nations Rugby Championship, All Blacks Vs France at One NZ Stadium, Christchurch, New Zealand. 4th July 2026. Photo / Photosport

All the action as the All Blacks host Italy in the Nations Championship, from Wellington’s Hnry Stadium.

All you need to know

The All Blacks will be looking to continue their positive start under new coach Dave Rennie when they meet Italy for the first time in Wellington.

This is also the first time the team are back playing in Wellington since their humiliating 43-17 loss to the Springboks in September 2025, with their recent record at HNRY Stadium being mixed beyond this.

In their last six fixtures in the capital, including the South Africa result, the All Blacks have three losses, two wins and one draw, but their strong record against Italy should give them plenty of confidence heading into this game.

The Azzurri have only played three matches in New Zealand against the All Blacks, the last being in Christchurch 17 years ago, which finished 27-6 to the home side.

Italy lost their opening Nations Championship game against Japan, despite taking an early lead through centre Ignacio Brex, before conceding two converted tries before the 20th minute.

Japan limited Italy to only three more points for the remainder of the match and won 27-10.

The inaugural Nations Championship sees the Southern Hemisphere and the Northern Hemisphere square off every two years in a 12-team, two-pool tournament format, featuring the Six Nations, the four Sanzaar nations and Japan and Fiji.

All Blacks v Italy history

Played – 17

All Blacks won – 17

Italy won – 0

Draws – 0

All Blacks points scored – 988

Italy points scored – 168

All Blacks v Italy last 10 meetings

2024 – All Blacks 29 Italy 11, Turin

2023 – All Blacks 96 Italy 17, Lyon

2021 – All Blacks 47 Italy 9, Rome

2018 – All Backs 66 Italy 3, Rome

2016 – All Blacks 68 Italy 10, Rome

2012 – All Blacks 42 Italy 10, Rome

2009 – All Blacks 20 Italy 6, Milan

2009 – All Blacks 27 Italy 6, Christchurch

2007 – All Blacks 76 Italy 14, Marseille

2004 – All Blacks 59 Italy 10, Rome

All Blacks v Italy line-ups

All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Tyrel Lomax, 4. Sam Darry, 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 6. Wallace Sititi, 7. Luke Jacobson, 8. Ardie Savea (c), 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Ruben Love, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Billy Proctor, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Damian McKenzie

Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. George Bower, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Josh Lord, 20. Anton Segner (uncapped), 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Anton Lienert-Brown, 23. Josh Moorby (uncapped).

Unavailable: Fehi Fineanganofo (shoulder).

Italy: 1. Danilo Fischetti, 2. Tommaso Di Bartolomeo, 3. Marco Riccioni, 4. Niccolo Cannone, 5. Andrea Zambonin, 6. Ross Vintcent, 7. Michele Lamaro, 8. Lorenzo Cannone, 9. Stephen Varney, 10. Paolo Garbisi, 11. Louis Lynagh, 12. Tommaso Menoncello, 13. Juan Ignacio Brex, 14. Malik Faissal, 15. Tommaso Allan.

Bench: 16. Gianmarco Lucchesi, 17. Mirco Spagnolo, 18. Muhamed Hasa, 19. Giulio Marini, 20. Federico Ruzza, 21. Riccardo Favretto, 22. Alessandro Garbisi, 23. Leonardo Marin.

Form guide (past five tests)

All Blacks:

Beat France 34-32

Beat Wales 52-26

Lost to England 33-19

Beat Scotland 25-17

Beat Ireland 26-13

Italy:

Lost to Japan 27-10

Lost to Wales 31-17

Beat England 23-18

Lost to France 33-8

Lost to Ireland 20-13

All Blacks v Italy referee

French referee Luc Ramos is in charge of the test, with Nic Berry and Luke Pearce as the assistant referees. Ramos has not taken charge of an All Blacks match before, but he has experience with Italy, having been the referee for their 23-18 victory over England in the Six Nations earlier this year.