Young All Blacks on notice

DEAN KOZANIC/The Press

BOOT TO BALL: All Blacks first five-eighth Luke McAlister launches a kick during the captain's run at AMI Stadium in Christchurch yesterday.

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It was a decade ago almost to the day but the stakes were much higher when Graham Henry and Nick Mallett first attempted to outwit each other on the international stage.

It was June 26, 1999 and Wales, then under the guidance of Henry, celebrated the opening of Cardiff's Millennium Stadium by beating the Mallett-coached Springboks 29-19.

For Henry, labelled "The Great Redeemer" by the local media, it was a golden period as the Welshmen embarked on a wild ride that included a record 10 consecutive victories.

For Mallett, though, life was not so rosy.

That defeat to Wales signalled there were tougher times lying in wait; the Boks went on to be knocked out of the 1999 World Cup semifinal by Australia and less than a year later he resigned.

Henry, too, was to feel the heat when his relationship with his Welsh paymasters crumbled and in February 2002 he resigned and left his then assistant Steve Hansen, now his All Blacks forwards coach, to take over Wales.

Tonight Henry and Mallett will renew that rivalry but unlike that 1999 clash, there is no electricity or anticipation surrounding this test between the All Blacks and Italy at AMI Stadium.

For Mallett, who replaced former French skipper Pierre Berbizier as the Italy coach in October 2007, this will be an exercise in how to keep his players focused as they prepare to face an All Blacks team desperate to impress Henry ahead of next month's Tri-Nations.

Yesterday Henry confirmed this is his men's final chance make their mark ahead of the test against the Wallabies at Eden Park on July 18.

"They are always on trial, none of them are complacent enough to think their positions are always going to be with the All Blacks.

"They are all on a bit of an edge. The Tri-Nations squad is announced next Saturday and they know about that."

It is little surprise the Canterbury public have embraced this fixture with as much enthusiasm as a farmer being told his animals have foot and mouth disease.

While the All Blacks are ranked No1 in the world, the Azzurri are listed 12th and have lost their last 10 matches.

The major talking points have not been how league convert Craig Gower will operate at first five-eighth for Italy or whether his opposite Luke McAlister can prove his combination with halfback Brendon Leonard will spark the All Blacks backline after it scored just two tries in the tests against France.

Instead, sluggish ticket sales have taken centre stage.

The All Blacks, who should be better for having three weeks in camp and their 1-1 series draw with France, will be too slick, powerful and fast for an Italian side ready to return to the northern hemisphere summer.

There may be a question of new combinations among the All Blacks side six changes have been made to the side that beat France 14-10 in Wellington last weekend but Mallett too has gone into pick-and-mix mode by making eight changes.

Although they caused the Wallabies some grief with their strong scrum and quick defensive line during the 2-0 series loss in Australia, this Italian side will be in over their heads and everyone knows it.

Henry, meanwhile, will expect to see his back row of Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino and Tanerau Latimer operate with the same intensity they produced against France last weekend. He will hope centre Isaia Toeava can regain his confidence after being dropped in Wellington and everyone is hoping wing Joe Rokocoko will rediscover his mojo.

Last night 16,150 tickets had sold.

TEAMS

NEW ZEALAND: Mils Muliaina (c), Lelia Masaga, Isaia Toeava, Ma'a Nonu, Josevata Rokocoko, Luke McAlister, Brendon Leonard; Kieran Read, Tanerau Latimer, Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett. Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Bryn Evans, George Whitelock, Piri Weepu, Cory Jane.

ITALY: Luke McLean, Kaine Robertson, Gonzalo Canale, Gonzalo Garcia, Mirco Bergamasco, Craig Gower, Tito Tebaldi, Sergio Parisse (captain), Mauro Bergamasco, Alessandro Zanni, Marco Bortolami, Quintin Geldenhuys, Ignacio Rouyet, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Salvatore Perugini. Reserves: Franco Sbaraglini, Fabio Staibano, Carlo Antonio Del Fava, Simone Favaro, Giulio Toniolatti, Kristopher Burton, Matteo Pratichetti.

Referee: George Clancy (Ireland). Kickoff: 7.35pm.

- © Fairfax NZ News