Italy coach Jacques Brunel has selected Fijian-born flank Samuela Vunisa in the only change to the team to face the Springboks on Saturday.
Vunisa, who has yet to play for Italy after being called into the squad for the November Tests, will replace Simone Favaro in the loose trio after the Treviso player suffered a sore neck in training.
In the only other notable switch, Leonardo Sarto has been pulled back to the right wing with Luke McLean going the other way to the left wing.
Italy beat Samoa 24-13 in their opening Test and despite last week’s 20-18 defeat to the Pumas, coach Jacques Brunel said he had seen enough to confirm the nucleus of his team for the Springboks, which he described as “the form team of the November series”.
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“After the first two games against Samoa and Argentina we were satisfied at how the team performed so we thought it was only fair to confirm the line-up that has impressed in recent weeks,” said Brunel.
On Vunisa’s inclusion, Brunel added: “We’d been following Sam for the past year and a half, first of all with Calvisano and now with (current club) Zebre.
“Now it’s time we tested him at international level.”
Brunel, however, said the powerful Fijian had a lot to live up to.
“Against Samoa and Argentina Simone made a brilliant return to competition after more than a year away from the international matches,” added the Frenchman.
South Africa, who suffered a 29-15 loss to Ireland in their opening Test in Dublin, made amends with a 31-28 win over England at Twickenham last week.
They are expected to claim what would be their 12th consecutive win over the Azzurri at Padua’s Stadio Euganeo.
“The Springboks are without doubt the form team of this November series. They had a great summer and also brought the All Blacks’ winning streak to an end,” said Brunel.
Italy will be hoping Vunisa follows in the footsteps of fellow recent debutant Kelly Haimona by impressing on his maiden appearance for the Azzurri.
New Zealand-born flyhalf Haimona kicked 14 points ion the win over Samoa and scored 15 with the boot in a 20-18 loss to the Pumas last week.
Haimona’s promising displays have also relegated Perpignan flyhalf Tommaso Allan down the pecking order.
Allan was sent home from a training camp earlier on Thursday.
“As regards Allan, he was given opportunities during the course of last season. It’s only fair we give Haimona the same chance now,” added Brunel.
Italy: 15 Andrea Masi, 14 Leonardo Sarto, 13 Michele Campagnaro, 12 Luca Morisi, 11 Luke McLean, 10 Kelly Haimona, 9 Edoardo Gori, 8 Sergio Parisse (Captain), 7 Samuela Vunisa, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Joshua Furno, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Martin Castrogiovanni, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Matias Aguero
Replacements: 16 Andrea Manici, 17 Alberto De Marchi, 18 Dario Chistolini, 19 Marco Bortolami, 20 Francesco Minto, 21 Guglielmo Palazzani, 22 Luciano Orquera, 23 Giulio Toniolatti.
Date: Saturday 22 November
Venue: Stadio Euganeo, Padua
Kick-Off: 16:00 SA Time (15:00 Italy Time, 14:00 GMT)
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (France)
Assistant Referees: Pascal Gauzère (France), Alexandre Ruiz (France)
TMO: Gareth Simmonds (Wales)
DRAGONS !
Dagoes.
I think it’s time we chatted about just how good AB de Villiers is.
He really could end up being the best batsman SA has ever produced.
@ gunther:
I agree Gunther…if only he gets more support from the other batsmen around him. I am glad to see that Miller has done better lately.
Even the Aussie commentators couldn’t help telling the viewers how good AB was and is…or perhaps it was Mark Nicholas singing his praises.
@ charlesm:
The jury is still out on miller.
One decent score alongside quite a few failures.
He still hasn’t shown any inkling of his alleged hitting ability.
He will be buying the drinks in last chance saloon tonight.
😆
@ gunther:
I felt that he and AB should have batted longer. It seems that whenever we enter the powerplay the guys tend to play too many loose shots.
Obviously Miller has to make more contributions over time but he didn’t look too bad today
On the bowling front I’m glad Abbott has seized his opportunity.
@ gunther:
And Airpunch, don’t forget our special friend airpunch. He must be mentioned in the same breath as AB.
ON Miller, I actually thought todays innings was vital to him. Showed he can also knuckle down and put a partnership together.
If he had gone cheaply, it would have exposed Farhaan, McLaren etc with more than 30 overs to go.
@ charlesm:
Two new batsmen in the batting powerplay not ideal.
Maclaren ses to have gone from being our nest ODI bowler to our worst.
@ John Galt:
Robbie Airmiles P can’t miss an overseas trip.
😆
All I’m saying is the guy is fast running out of chances he’s earned a stay of execution nothing more.
He’s fortunate nobody else is breaking the door down.
@ gunther:
That’s Miller I mean.
Not Robbie P obviously.
😆
Abott has really been the enormous silver lining of this tour.
Ama-Blomme bowlers are absolute rubbish!
Aus win, with 6 balls remaining
This does mean that we will win the World Cup
Good run to see who the BMT players are.
Farhaan must bat 7. AB must bat 4.
Amla, QdK, Faf, AB, Duminy, Miller, Farhaan, Vern, Steyn, Tahir, Morkel.
Abott/ Vern/ Morkel
@ shooter: I would add Morris to that lot. Why he hasn’t been given a shot I cannot fathom.
nortie wrote:
Jy gaan reguit hel toe 😈
nortie wrote:
With that arm set on “Fast” you’ll never need a girlfriend
@ Tassies:
For sure.
@ charlesm:
powerplays are overrated. no pun intended. it means one more guy in the circle. really.
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