The All Blacks, New Zealand's national rugby team, will play a test match against Italy in Rome on 17 November.

It will be the first time that the All Blacks have played at the 72,000-seater Stadio Olimpico, as the last time Italy hosted the formidable squad from down under was in 2009. That game was played in Milan's S. Siro stadium in front of 81,000 spectators, and the All Blacks won 20-6. The last time the All Blacks played in Rome was at Flaminio Stadium - currently no longer being used by the FIR - when they hammered the Italians 59-10 in 2004.

The champion team is known for performing the fearsome “haka” (a traditional Māori challenge) before each international match.

On 10 November the All Blacks won against Scotland at Murrayfield 34-17 on 10 November but Italy still hopes that it can give its opponents a good battle even though it has never beaten the All Blacks in 12 matches.

Italy won against Tonga 28-23 on 10 November in Brescia and faces Australia on 24 November in Florence.