Rugby-All Blacks recall quartet after injury to face Italy threat

FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - Rugby World Cup 2023 - Pool A - New Zealand v Namibia - Stadium Municipal de Toulouse, Toulouse, France - September 15, 2023 New Zealand's Samuel Whitelock REUTERS/Stephane Mahe/File Photo

LYON, France (Reuters) -New Zealand see Italy as a genuine threat in Friday's key World Cup Pool A clash and will wait until after the match to celebrate Sam Whitelock becoming the most-capped All Black, coach Ian Foster said on Wednesday.

The All Blacks have never lost to Italy, often running up big scores in their previous meetings, but Foster said his team were extremely wary of the new-look Italian side.