All Blacks have plenty to play for

With Italy having already pretty much hoisted the white flag, the All Blacks may be forced to look within for the motivation they need to come through the Iveco Series closer with anything resembling satisfaction.

Not that that should be a problem.

With a Tri-Nations squad to be named in a week's time, some walking wounded set to return from the injured list and one or two positions still well and truly up for grabs in the pecking order, this test could still count for plenty other than just another tick in the win column for the All Blacks.

For some there's even an "on trial" aspect to this international. Halfback Brendon Leonard is playing for the starting berth in the Tri-Nations, wing Joe Rokocoko is fighting for his very survival after a shaky opening to the new campaign and others like John Afoa, Isaac Ross, Tanerau Latimer, Kieran Read and Isaia Toeava are still battling to establish themselves in these transitional All Blacks.

Luke McAlister, of course, also gets a first start as he gets the chance to show the erratic Stephen Donald isn't the only alternative in the pivot while Dan Carter's on the road to recovery.

Then there's new chums Wyatt Crockett and Lelia Masaga making their first test appearances of their young careers. Their excitement levels will take care of themselves.

"They're always on trial," said Henry today of his players' state of mind. "None of them are complacent enough to think their position is always going to be with the All Blacks. I think they're all on a bit of an edge.

"The Tri-Nations squad is announced next Saturday, they know that and there's always a bit of an edge on that."

Italy probably haven't done their bit towards helping to fill the stands at AMI – or at least the ones that have been built – with a less than optimistic appraisal of their prospects.

Maybe they'd crunched the numbers – which aren't pretty in a head-to-head that reads All Blacks 10, Italy 0 – or maybe they'd just figured the New Zealanders are due after two below-par efforts against the game French.

Whatever, these were the type of messages coming out of the Italian camp this week.

"It's pretty difficult to win these games," said Kiwi-born wing Kaine Robertson (he's actually friends with the All Blacks coach's son). "We're trying to keep our heads high in all three games, and trying to keep it to a decent score, and not get destroyed by 60-odd points.

"The first couple of games went all right. We let two tries in at the end last week - 20-12 was a decent score, but they got those two at the end…"

Or this from veteran lock Marco Bortolami: "We have to stay confident, and try to put in the same performance against the All Blacks as we did against Australia. And if the result stays around 10-15 points it's going to be a big result for Italy."

Even that renowned South African Nick Mallet was not exactly imbued with optimism.

"When we play tests against Australia and New Zealand, if the national side can perform creditably and with dignity and courage, and show proper rugby values like teamwork, organisation, and play for each other then that's not a bad thing," said the Italy coach.

"I'm hoping we'll give the All Blacks a really good game," was about as glass-half-full as he got.

But are the Italians bluffing?

Henry gave the impression he thought they were when he produced a classic rugby talk-up-the-opposition speech at Friday's captain's press conference.

"We think it's going to be a hell of a hard test. The Italian forwards gave the Aussies a bit of a runaround, particularly at scrum time…We're just thinking about getting the best team out there to do the business in this test."

Skipper Mils Muliana also indicated the motivation levels remained high in the camp.

"The mood is really excited. We know we haven't played quite as well as we wanted to the last couple of weeks. This weekend gives us a massive opportunity to go out and do that."

So what should we be looking for from the All Blacks, given victory is a given?

Authority up front, and maybe some improvements in the scrum which has made a slow start to the year. New props Afoa and Crockett have a real chance to stake their claims there.

More progress from Isaac Ross in the second row. With Ali Williams out for the Tri-Nations now, the kid is suddenly a key man. He's looked the goods thus far.

Continued leadership from senior pros like Keven Mealamu and Brad Thorn. Weren't they awesome in Wellington? Another strong breakdown showing from the tyro loose trio.

What else?

Brendon Leonard to play with the fire and brimstone he did early in the Super 14. Luke McAlister to own the No 10 spot. Isaia Toeava to deliver on all that promise.

Oh, and Lelia Masaga to score a try. Please. We gotta see that celebration he's been working on.

"He's been really good," said Muliaina of his flamboyant Chiefs team-mate. "He's going to provide a lot of spark for us. We all know what he can do with ball in hand. He's shown a few dance moves too, even taught Ted a couple."

That's a joke, but briefly Henry turned serious at the mention of his wing's famous try celebrations.

"He's got nothing to celebrate yet. Hopefully he will have tomorrow. We'd like to see a bit of a move."

Then the smile returned to the coach. Hopefully it will be back on the All Blacks too on Saturday night.
 
NEW ZEALAND: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Josevata Rokocoko, 10 Luke McAlister, 9 Brendon Leonard; 8 Kieran Read, 7 Tanerau Latimer, 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Isaac Ross, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Owen Franks, 19 Bryn Evans, 20 George Whitelock, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Cory Jane.

ITALY: 15 Luke McLean, 14 Kaine Robertson, 13 Gonzalo Canale, 12 Gonzalo Garcia, 11 Mirco Bergamasco, 10 Craig Gower, 9 Tito Tebaldi; 8 Sergio Parisse (capt), 7 Mauro Bergamasco, 6 Alessandro Zanni, 5 Marco Bortolami, 4 Quintin Geldenhuys, 3 Ignacio Rouyet, 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1 Salvatore Perugini. Reserves: 16 Franco Sbaraglini, 17 Fabio Staibano, 18 Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 19 Simone Favaro, 20 Giulio Toniolatti,21  Kristopher Burton, 22 Matteo Pratichetti.

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland).

- MARC HINTON in Christchurch