Italy rugby coach Jacques Brunel has made eight changes to the side that beat Tonga 28-23 last weekend for the Test against New Zealand at Rome’s Olympic Stadium on Saturday.

Italy have suffered defeat in all 12 of their previous encounters with the All Blacksbut will be hoping their best available team can provide a stiffer challenge to the reigning world champions.

Tommaso Iannone, who made his debut at right wing in Brescia last week, makes way for Giovambattista Venditti while Mirco Bergamasco goes in at left wing for Luke McLean, who drops to the bench.

Luciano Orquera is at fly-half for Kris Burton with Edoardo Gori reclaiming the scrum half position from Tobias Botes, who is also among the replacements.

Among the forwards there were also four changes.

Simone Favaro returns to the starting XV in favour of Robert Barbieri at openside flanker while Francesco Minto takes Joshua Furno’s place in the second row.

Antonio Pavanello replaces Quintin Geldenhuys at second row while tighthead prop Martin Castrogiovanni, a late replament in the edgy win over Tonga, starts in place of Lorenzo Cittadini.

New Zealand beat Scotland 51-22 at Murrayfield last weekend but have made radical changes to that side for the Rome Test.

Italy team to face New Zealand (15-1)

Andrea Masi; Giovambattista Venditti, Tommaso Benvenuti, Alberto Sgarbi, Mirco Bergamasco; Luciano Orquera, Edoardo Gori; Sergio Parisse, Simone Favaro, Alessandro Zanni; Francesco Minto, Antonio Pavanello; Martin Castrogiovanni, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Andrea Lo Cicero

Replacements: Davide Giazzon, Alberto De Marchi, Lorenzo Cittadini, Quintin Geldenhuys, Mauro Bergamasco, Robert Barbieri, Tobias Botes, Luke McLean