All Blacks vs Italy in Wellington: Gli Azzurri on the rise
If you haven't watched Italy play rugby in the last three seasons, almost everything you think you know about them is now out of date.
In the 2026 Six Nations Gli Azzurri finished fourth, above England and Wales. They beat England for the first time ever in Rome on 8 March, 23-18, in front of 68,985 people at the Stadio Olimpico. The England side they beat had won twelve Tests in a row, including a win over the All Blacks the previous November.
That same team is coming to Wellington to face the All Blacks on Saturday 11 July 2026, and here’s what you need to know about the boys in Savoy Blue ahead of this Nations Championship clash.
Watch Highlights: Italy's first ever win over England in the Six Nations
In a result that sent shockwaves through the rugby world, Italy have claimed their first-ever victory over England, sealing a dramatic 23–18 win at the Stadio Olimpico.
All Blacks v Italy Official Match Tickets
Do not miss out on this cruicial Nations Championship clash between the All Blacks and Italy in Wellington on 11 July 2026.
1. Italy rugby's new coaching setup has transformed the team
Head Coach Gonzalo Quesada took over at Italy after the 2023 Rugby World Cup, an Argentine who used to play fly-half for Los Pumas. He is relentless about the set piece, ruthless about pragmatism, and is careful with players' minds.
The turnaround in fortunes has seen Italian rugby journalists start to name him in the same breath as Rassie Erasmus. That comparison cannot be ignored.
Quesada's star fly-half Paolo Garbisi explains the team’s philosophy in one phrase: "T.N.T. Takes No Talent". Effort. Chase. Work rate. Nothing about it requires brilliance. All of it requires standards.
The changes in the team aren’t a fluke either, the team also beat Scotland in 2026, narrowly lost to Ireland in 2025 and famously drew with France in 2024. Italy is a team with momentum, and Kiwi fans get the chance to see them on 11 July in Wellington.
Watch Highlights: All Blacks v Italy | Rugby World Cup 2023
2. Gli Azzurri's players are not who you remember
Tommaso Menoncello plays at inside centre. He's 23. After Italy beat England, the England head coach Steve Borthwick called him one of the best centres in the world.
Menoncello was the 2024 Six Nations player of the championship, and carries hard, breaks tackles, and reads the game well enough that he and his centre partner Ignacio Brex appear to know what the other is doing before the ball even arrives.
Behind him, Italy's scrum is no longer the one you remember from the 2023 Rugby World Cup. In the 2026 Six Nations they had the most dominant forward pack in the tournament, outmuscling other noted forward focussed teams like France and England.
Their breakdown work centres around the entire back row, not a single specialist, so taking one player out doesn't switch off the threat.
Italy’s Captain Michele Lamaro was asked after the England win about Italy's old run of 36 straight Six Nations losses. He said: "That wasn't me. I didn't play in those games."
3. Italy to meet the All Blacks in Wellington for the first time
Italy have never played a rugby Test in Wellington. This will be their first, and is only their fourth ever Test in New Zealand, with their previous games v the All Blacks playing out in Auckland, Hamilton, and Dunedin.
This fixture also carries extra weight as part of the brand new Nations Championship, with points counting towards overall standings and Finals Weekend rankings. The last time Italy visited New Zealand it was for a one-off Test, but this time around there is so much more on the line.
All Blacks v Italy Match Details
Saturday 11 July, 5:10pm.
Hnry Stadium, Wellington.
Tickets start at just $53 for an adult and $30 for kids 15 and under.
Where to watch All Blacks v Italy live
In New Zealand you can watch All Blacks v Italy live on Sky Sports. If you're overseas, check out where to watch here.
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Watch Highlights: All Blacks v Italy | Turin, 2024
The All Blacks finished their 2024 Test season with a clash against Italy at the iconic home ground of Juventus FC in Turin.
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