Howlett to face schoolmate on Saturday

New Zealand flyer Doug Howlett cannot believe he will be coming up against an old schoolmate when the All Blacks take on a rejuvenated Italy in Rome on Saturday.

The wing attended Auckland Grammar School with rising Italy star Kaine Robertson, who switched his allegiance to the Azzurri earlier this year, becoming one of the growing number of Kiwis in compatriot John Kirwan’s squad.

But Howlett admitted he was astonished to see Robertson wearing the blue of Italy when he tuned in to see Italy’s impressive 51-6 dismissal of Canada on Saturday that announced the Azzurri as a force to be reckoned with.

“I don’t believe Kane, my old school friend at Auckland Grammar School, is playing for Italy,” Howlett told Italian rugby website www.federugby.it. “To be honest, it was a big surprise to see him wear the Azzurri shirt.”

With both lining up on the wing, it is more than likely they will come face-to-face on Saturday.

Howlett is widely regarded as the quickest wing in the business, but he believes Robertson may have caught him up.

“Because I’m few years older I was faster than him at school,” Howlett said. “But on Saturday Kane will be able to show me after all these years if he has overtaken me.”

Howlett also admitted he was sorry to hear of the injury to wing Denis Dallan. “I’m sad about the Denis Dallan injury,” he said. “I played against him twice and I have a great respect for him.”

Dallan has been ruled out for five months after damaging his Achilles tendon in Saturday’s defeat of Canada.

Azzurri coach John Kirwan has decided not to bring in another player to replace Dallan in his 29-squad.