The Autumn Nations Series this year will pit the Azzurri against the All Blacks at Juventus’ home stadium, according to the FIR. The fact that the game is taking place at a location rich in Italian history and significance is evidence of rugby’s rising stature and ascent in that nation. With several high-profile football matches held there and its association with greats like Alessandro del Piero and Zinedine Zidane, it has transformed into a sports temple.
Global superstars in music and entertainment have also performed at the stadium, drawing crowds inside to see performances by Madonna, U2, and Coldplay. It is envisaged that rugby’s entry into this arena would help the sport become more well-known in Italy and become more interwoven into the country’s larger sporting and cultural landscape.
Italian rugby has seen a growth in grassroots involvement over the past few years, accompanied by more successful age-grade teams. The senior squad is starting to see rewards from their efforts; their performances in the most recent Autumn Nations Series and Guinness Men’s Six Nations Championships have confirmed their status as strong competitors.
After an incredible season under new head coach Gonzalo Quesada, rising star Tommaso Menoncello was crowned this year’s Guinness Men’s Player of the Championship. Meanwhile, new defence coach Richard Hodges recently expressed his confidence in his ability to lead the team to new defensive heights.
Federugby.it will soon provide ticket information for Italy vs. New Zealand’s Autumn Nations Series match in Turin. In the days leading up to their match against the All Blacks at Allianz Stadium, the Azzurri will also play against Argentina and Georgia.
The All Blacks of New Zealand are a well-known sports brand that is not limited to professional rugby. Thus, Italy, rugby’s most improved tier one nation, has thrown open its red carpet for the men in black, especially because such a legendary brand is visiting their shores in November.
While the Stadio Olimpico, their usual home field, is a legendary location in and of itself, Italy will travel to the world-famous Allianz Stadium, the home of Italian powerhouse Juventus, to play the All Blacks.
Juventus, which is well-known for drawing the best names in international football, has won two UEFA Champions League crowns and 36 victories in Italy’s premier league, Serie A.
Italy, who just had a highly successful Guinness Six Nations season in which they won two games and claimed a draw to move up to eighth place in the World Rugby rankings, will be looking to carry on the great Italian athletic history at the location. News for The Daily Rugby
“The All Blacks are an icon of international sport, as is Juventus,” stated Marzio Innocenti, President of the Italian Rugby Federation, in reference to the test match.
“To be able to welcome them once again to our country and to be able to do so in the best sporting facility in Italy adds a new element to the Federation that we are building, day by day,” the President continued, paying tribute to the All Blacks.
“I would like to thank the local institutions, from the Region to the City Council, who have enthusiastically supported Italy’s return to Turin, as well as Juventus for making this deal possible by customising the facilities to our game.
“The Allianz Stadium match between Italy and the All Blacks will be a memorable occasion for Italian sport in general as well as the rugby community.”