MARSEILLE, France — World Cup favourite New Zealand signified serious intentions for its opening match by choosing practically its best team to meet Italy at Stade Velodrome on Saturday.
There are only four changes, one enforced by injury, in the starting side from the All Blacks who defeated Australia 26-12 in Auckland to retain the Tri-Nations title seven weeks ago.
Ali Williams will play in his first Test since early June because of the persistent calf injury to fellow lock Keith Robinson, the only squad member not considered for selection.
Williams broke his jaw trying to tackle France No. 8 Sebastien Chabal in Wellington, missed the Tri-Nations, and lost 18 pounds while recovering on a soup diet. The weight is back, and the 42-cap lock will partner veteran Chris Jack as the only two fit specialist locks. Regular flanker Reuben Thorne, the All Blacks captain at the 2003 World Cup, is in the reserves as cover.
The only other change to the forwards has hooker Keven Mealamu, who has played in every Test this year, swapping with Anton Oliver in a hint at New Zealand's desire to spread the ball wide on the sun-baked ground.
Conrad Smith replaces Isaia Toeava at centre for his first start since last November against Wales. Smith made a try-scoring debut in New Zealand's previous match against Italy in 2004, a 59-10 win in Rome. Sitiveni Sivivatu is on the left wing instead of Joe Rokocoko.
"We are all excited to play our first Rugby World Cup match," All Blacks coach Graham Henry said Wednesday. "All of the players are very enthusiastic. In fact, we probably need to be sure that we play sensible rugby on Saturday and don't get overexcited."
Henry said his team would not take Italy for granted after its strong play in this year's Six Nations, in which Pierre Berbizier's team beat Scotland at Murrayfield and Wales at home en route to its best tournament performance yet. More recently the Azzurri lost to Ireland to a last-gasp disputed try in Belfast.
"Italy showed their competitiveness in the Six Nations early in the year and against Ireland two weeks ago and they will have a lot of supporters in the stadium," Henry said. "We'll need to be accurate and patient to meet their challenge."
Italy's improvement has the All Blacks on guard, said New Zealand prop Carl Hayman.
"There's no way we go into this underestimating them," he said. "They competed well against a lot of the home nations, and in terms of scrummaging, that's a part of the game they enjoy.
"For us, we see that as one of our strengths, so it's going to make for an interesting game."
The All Blacks are looking to break a 20-year drought at the Rugby World Cup.
After winning the inaugural tournament on home soil in 1987, New Zealand has reached the final only once since — in 1995 when it narrowly lost to host South Africa.
"The guys are itching to play," All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said. "They just want to get the show on the road, and we're excited about playing."
New Zealand is expected to waltz through Pool C. But how hard its opener is will depend on whether Berbizier fields a strong team or rests his players for the key matchup with Scotland, which will probably decide who finishes second in Pool C and joins the All Blacks in the quarter-finals. Romania and Portugal are also in the pool.
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New Zealand
Mils Muliaina; Doug Howlett, Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Byron Kelleher; Tony Woodcock, Keven Mealamu, Carl Hayman, Chris Jack, Ali Williams, Jerry Collins, Richie McCaw (capt.), Rodney So'oialo.
Replacements: Anton Oliver, Neemia Tialata, Reuben Thorne, Sione Lauaki, Brendon Leonard, Aaron Mauger, Leon MacDonald.
