10 changes made by Italians

Italy and the New Zealand Divisional XV have made significant changes for their clash in Taupo tomorrow.

Italy will face the All Blacks at Hamilton next Saturday and the Divisional XV will play Ireland on the same day.

Italian coach John Kirwan has made 10 changes for their second tour match.

The only players he has retained from Italy's 37-13 win over Manawatu on Wednesday are first five-eighths Franco Mazzariol, winger Denis Dallan, fullback Gert Peens, centre Walter Pozzebon and prop Gianluca Faliva.

Divisional coach Noel McQuilkin has made five changes to the team who lost to the Bay of Plenty Wasps 19-17 on Tuesday.

Italy still have experience in locks Marco Bortolami and Mark Giacheri who, with New Zealand-born No 8 Matt Phillips, played in the last Six Nations championship.

Peens is a former Bulls Super 12 player and Dallan has Six Nations experience.

Italy's assistant coach, Leicester Rutledge, said management was keen to give all 30 tourists a game before the test with the All Blacks.

McQuilkin has added speed and size to his forwards, who will face bulky opponents.

He has shuffled the loose trio, replacing Aaron Griffith with Simon McKearney at openside flanker and bringing Mutu Ngarimu in for Daniel Alofa, who has dropped back to No 8.

In the backs, Matt Harvey moves in a place to partner Sam Leung-Wai in the centres and Pehi Te Whare replaces Michael Pettman on the right wing.

Divisional captain Lee Peina says the Taupo match presents an ideal opportunity for NPC second and third division players to measure themselves against an international team.

Italy: G. Peens, D. Dallan, W. Pozzebon, C. Zanoletti, G. Javier Canale, F. Mazzariol, J. M. Queirolo, M. Phillips, A. Persico, A. Benatti, M. Giacheri, M. Bortolami, M. Matteralia, S. Saviozzi, G. Faliva. Reserves: M. Barbini, G. Raineri, M. Mazzantini, A. De Rossi, S. Dellape, M. Castrogiovanni, F. Ongaro.

Divisional XV: T. Manawatu (H Bay), P. Te Whare (King Country), S. Leung-Wai (H Bay), M. Harvey (Manawatu), P. Fifita (North Otago), M. Flutey (East Coast), L. Peina (capt, King Country), M. Ngarimu (H Bay), S. McKearney (Thames Valley), D. Alofa (King Country), K. Leawere (East Coast), M. Porter (Marlborough), P. Bielski (H Bay), P. Mitchell (King Country), C. Newland (H Bay). Reserves: D. Leefe (East Coast), J. Hapeta (Manawatu), K. Marfell (Nelson Bays), A. Griffith (Nelson Bays), Q. Austin (Manawatu), J. Fa'aiu (Nelson Bays), D. Kemp (Wanganui).

- NZPA