Manawatu captain Richard Jarman will be out to renew acquaintances with Italian hooker Andrea Moretti in Palmerston North today.
Jarman and Moretti played alongside each other for Worcester in England more than a year ago, before Jarman returned to New Zealand and joined Manawatu.
"We'll have an espresso and catch up. He's
a nuggety, confidence player," Jarman said.
Moretti will be one of eight players who appeared in Italy's last test match (a 45-9 loss to England) who will play today.
The others are South African fullback Gert Peens, wings Denis Dallan and Nicola Mazzucato, halfback Matteo Mazzantini, explosive flanker Mauro Bergamasco, No 8 Andrea De Rossi and two-metre-tall Santiago Dellape.
Italy have not won a match since November 10 when they beat Fiji in Treviso where their new coach, former All Black John Kirwan, once played his club rugby.
Manawatu are looking forward to playing an international side.
"It has certainly been a carrot dangling for the guys who have been in the 50-man training squad," Jarman said.
"Everyone wants to have a crack at Italy. We'll go out and enjoy ourselves. The Italians will all be trying to push for World Cup berths."
Manawatu are not at full strength for their first international since they played the Springboks eight years ago.
Among those given a chance to impress are openside flanker Mark Knofflock and prop Will Parker, a nephew of former All Blacks lock Sam Strahan.
Italy: Gert Peens, Nicola Mazzucato, Walter Pozzebon, Denis Dallan, Matteo Barbini, Francesco Mazzariol, Matteo Mazzantini, Sergio Parisse, Mauro Bergamasco, Santiago Dellape, Enrico Pavanello, Andrea De Rossi (capt), Ramiro Martinez-Frigoni, Andrea Moretti, Gianluca Faliva. Reserves: Juan Manuel Queirolo, Gonzalo Javier Canale, Giovanni Raineri, Mark Giacheri, Antonio Mannato, Martin Castrogiovanni, Fabio Ongaro.
Manawatu: John Guise, Nicol Ruchti, Lifeimi Mafi, Brad Carr, Frank Bryant, Matt Ryan, Richard Jarman (captain), Aaron Palmer, Mark Knofflock, Jason Eaton, Hayden Triggs, Jason Buys, Will Parker, Clayton Crowther, Kane Barry. Reserves: Charlie Beetham, Chris Barron, Tony Falloon, Simon Easton, Darren Uys, Mike Spence, Sean Dellabarca.
- NZPA
