Autumn Nations Series: Sam Cane and TJ Perenara to bid farewell to All Blacks with final game against Italy in Turin

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All Blacks legends Sam Cane and TJ Perenara will play their final Tests in the iconic black shirt when New Zealand face Italy in Turin on Saturday. Scott Robertson has included both in the matchday squad, with Cane recovering from a head injury to return to the starting XV. Juventus' Allianz Stadium will host a rugby match for the first time as Italy finish their Autumn Nations Series campaign.

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Former New Zealand captain Sam Cane and scrum-half TJ Perenara will play their final Tests for the All Blacks after being picked to play against Italy on Saturday, live on TNT Sports and discovery+.

The Italians welcome Scott Robertson's side to Allianz Stadium, home of Serie A giants Juventus, for the final game of both sides' Autumn Nations Series campaign.

It is the first time that Allianz Stadium will open its doors to rugby, and the Azzurri's encounter against the three-time world champions will be a historic spectacle for the country.

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New Zealand, meanwhile, will see the final Tests of Cane, who has 103 caps, and Perenara, on 88, as both move to play club rugby in Japan following the end of the 2024 season.

The two have been mainstays in the All Blacks team over the past decade. Both were involved in New Zealand's 2015 World Cup-winning side and the 2023 team that made it to the final.

Cane had the seemingly-impossible job of filling Richie McCaw's shoes once he retired, and cemented himself as an All Blacks legend in his own right by earning his 100th cap this year.

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Perenara has long been a world-class No. 9, and holds the record of leading the Haka more than any other player, as well as the top try scorer in Super Rugby history.

"As our first ever match in Turin, our final match of the 2024 Test season, and the farewell match for Sam and TJ, this will be a great occasion," Robertson said.

"We are determined to finish our season in a way that honours and celebrates the immense contribution that Sam and TJ have made to the black jersey."

Cane has recovered from a head injury to start at openside flanker after missing their epic encounter with France.

His return means Ardie Savea switches back to No. 8, with young star Wallace Sititi starting at blindside.

Jordie Barrett, Tamaiti Williams and Samipeni Finau all started against France but will be unavailable.

Robertson weelcomes back winger Mark Tele'a, who has quickly become one of the most dangerous finishers in world rugby this season.

Italy have never beaten New Zealand, and the last match between the two ended in a 96-17 win for the All Blacks at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. That result is only bettered a 101-3 thrashing at the 1999 World Cup.

Italy go into the clash following a hard-fought win against Georgia, in which they overcame an 11-point half-time deficit.

It was their fifth win of 2024 - including Six Nations victories over Scotland and Wales, and a 13-13 draw with France. Only twice in their history have they won more games in a calendar year.

"This Italy team has made a real impact on the international stage this year, with a strong showing in the Six Nations," Robertson added.

"We know the passion this team will bring, so we are preparing for a physical and motivated Italy for our final Test of the tour."

Defeat to France was a setback for the All Blacks, and Robertson admitted the aim had been to "sweep the North".

"We wanted to come up here and sweep the North," he said. "The margins are small, and now we get a chance to finish properly.

"It's been a big 40 days for us and we want to finish on Saturday night with a performance we're proud of."

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