New-look Counties Manukau team take on Italy

By CHRIS RATTUE

Bruce Robertson unveils a new-look Counties Manukau side against Italy at Pukekohe today, hoping that enthusiasm will make up for a loss of experience.

The Steelers' one Super 12 player, wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, is visiting his homeland Fiji so will miss the match, as will New Zealand Colts first five-eighths, Stephen Donald.

There are major losses from last year's squad with halfback Kevin Senio at Bay of Plenty, centre Casey Laulala at Canterbury, and leading forwards Kristian Ormsby and Wayne McEntee having headed to Wellington and Waikato.

The loss of those players is a major blow to the Steelers' hopes of winning the second division title and trying to regain first division status.

Robertson said: "While we're not as experienced as last year, we've got a lot of passion and enthusiasm ... "

The Steelers' newcomers include prop Tau Fainga'anuku from Marlborough and North Otago first five-eighths Simon Porter.

Midfield back Peter Epati returns after missing last season through injury.

Italian coach John Kirwan has brought in leading players including captain and halfback Alessandro Troncon and former Argentinian first five-eighths Ramiro Pez - now with English club Leicester - following the heavy opening tour loss to Southland.

The Italians, who opened the Six Nations with a win over Wales in Rome before losing their remaining matches, will be heavily favoured over Counties Manukau, whose last international match was a thrashing by Argentina two years ago.

The Italians went into the Southland match confronted by cold conditions after 48 hours of travel, so should be better prepared today.

The side includes New Zealander Matt Phillips and Australian Mark Giacheri.

Counties Manukau: Massey Tukaharaina, Jona Quio, Mark Lawson, Peter Epati, Tui Taufaau, Simon Porter, Kevin Farrell; Waka Setitaia, Craig Glendenning (c), John Kennedy, Ramon Lindsay, Kelvin Potter, Tau Fainga'anuku, Grant Henson, Dave Stewart.

Res: Andrew Va'a, Carl Grainger, Aaron Enoka, Rob Afoa-Peterson; Kaino Kaino, Doug Sanft, Niva Ta'auso.

Italy: Gert Peens; Diego Sacca, Cristian Stoica, Nicola Masi, Apenisa Vodo, Ramiro Pez, Alessandro Troncon (c); Matt Phillips, Maurizio Zaffiri, Andrea Benatti, Cristian Bezzi, Mark Giacheri, Salvatore Perugini, Fabio Ongaro, Andrea Lo Cicero.

Res: Carlo Festuccia, Leandro Castrogiovanni, Matteo Gennari, Enrico Pavanello; Matteo Mazzantini, Vincenzo Zullo, Cristian Zanoletti.

Referee: Bryce Lawrence

Kickoff: 2.35pm

* TV details: Live on Sky Sport 1.