Now for a true test of Ali Williams' mettle

All Blacks forwards coach Steve Hansen will get his best gauge on Ali Williams' progress when he confronts the world's most experienced locking combination this weekend.

Williams, out of international rugby for two and a half years after battling through two Achilles tendon operations, has played all three tests this year as the All Blacks give him every opportunity to rediscover his touch at this level ahead of the World Cup.

He was clearly rusty on his return against Fiji, showed quick improvements against the "B Boks" in Wellington and had a splendid match in the demolition of the Wallabies at Eden Park.

Now he gets to tackle his old mates Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha in their backyard with the Boks combining together for the 62^nd time in the Tri-Nations test here on Sunday morning (NZ time).

In contrast Williams locks arms with Sam Whitelock for just the second time as a starting combination.

Williams might be aged 30 compared to Whitelock's 22 and have 64 tests compared to the youngster's 16, but it's debatable who's the more senior second rower at the moment when it comes to sheer form.

For Williams, it's all been about clawing his way back into this scene. Hansen reckons the Aucklander is doing a pretty damn good job. Crucially his body is holding together and his game is coming together.

"I'm pretty happy with Ali," Hansen says in his laconic way.

"He has been away from us for two years and there's been a lot change. He has fitted in quite nicely. I think he has recognised there have been changes and he is making changes himself, off the field in little areas.

"On the field he is just climbing and climbing and getting better and better each game. It's going to be exciting watching him and Sam go out there on Saturday night."

It's a big challenge in many ways. Matfield is the lineout king and Botha the V8 engine of the Boks scrum. When they struck problems in this area last week against the Wallabies it should be noted that Botha's grunt had left the field. That contributed to their surprising collapse as much as John Smit's move to blindside.

The Boks pair are a formidable combination around the park too and Matfield, who will be playing a record 107^th test for South Africa ahs the added motivation of being the captain in the absence of Smit.

So Williams and Whitelock will have their hands full and it's going to be a perfect barometer for them as a duo as much as it will be an insight into Williams' temperament for the big occasion and the responsibilities that come with operating in a youngish New Zealand pack.

Hansen believes the three changes to the Springboks pack mean a massive test for his forwards, suggesting the South Africans would be out to "beat up" the All Blacks.

And as both sides continue to tinker with their lineups as the World Cup draws nearer, Hansen refused to bite on barbs from the local scribes who continue to belittle the battling Boks who have won just one of their last eight Tri-Nations matches and are facing a whitewash in this year's series if they can't get past the All Blacks in this test.

"I think they are running their own course and getting ready for the World Cup and good on them," a diplomatic Hansen said. "It's the most important tournament of the year, they decided early the Tri-Nations wasn't their tournament and that's fair enough.

"They have brought a lot of experience back into the side and the changes they have made from Australia to this week are guys they want to see fit in with some of those more senior people."

Possible All Blacks team: Israel Dagg, Isaia Toeava, Richard Kahui, Sonny Bill Williams, Hosea Gear, Colin Slade, Jimmy Cowan, Liam Messam, Adam Thomson, Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Sam Whitelock, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu (captain), Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Jarrad Hoeata, Victor Vito, Andy Ellis, Piri Weepu, Cory Jane.

- © Fairfax NZ News