Fans and players lap up spectacle in Italy

The San Siro factor and the likelihood of some game time for the dirty-dirties were looming as the big interest storylines as the All Blacks hit Italy's fashion capital today.

Remarkably, the historic test against Nick Mallett's Azzurri at the home of the two famous Milan football clubs on Saturday evening (early Sunday NZ time) has sold out, with all 80,000 tickets snapped up well before the All Blacks hit the Continent.

With ticket prices ranging from 10 euros for a pew up in "the Gods" to 100 for the premium seats, Italians have demonstrated palpably that for them at least the All Blacks aura is as powerful as ever.

And clearly the All Blacks are excited about their first ever appearance at one of world football's most hallowed stadiums. In fact it's not stretch to call San Siro a true citadel of the Beautiful Game.

"Not too many of the guys have been to Milan in the first place, so that's exciting, and the fact they know they're going to play in front of 80,000 people, particularly at the stadium that has so much history behind it, we're looking forward to it," said assistant coach Steve Hansen after the team's Sunday evening arrival in the chic Euro fashion destination.

Luke McAlister, who's likely to play at second five against the Italians, said he was looking forward to the experience, never mind the chance to make amends for his personal horror show against the Azzurri in Christchurch in June.

A Manchester United fan, McAlister said it was "exciting times" to be playing at one of football's iconic stadiums.

"I've seen it on TV and it's going to be a great experience. The boys will be loving it," he said.

In terms of the huge crowd, the number wouldn't be anything McAlister hadn't experienced before, but he figured the experience would.

"I played in front of 105,000 people in Sydney one time but I don't think the atmosphere will be the same. This atmosphere this weekend will be massive," he said.

Prop John Afoa didn't quite have the same background knowledge of what was in store.

"I know the name but I don't know much about soccer," he said. "It will be a good learning curve."

Hansen felt you couldn't undersell the significance of this weekend's occasion - only the second time in history that the San Siro had sold out for a non-football event.

"It's a great reflection on the All Black brand really. The All Blacks are a well-known sporting team, the Italians are getting in behind that, and they're really enjoying their rugby here by all accounts."

Added McAlister: "We know the All Blacks are a huge brand overseas so I guess coming to a place like this doesn't happen often, so people want to watch."

In terms of the likely lineup this weekend - with Otago's Ben Smith and the Bay's Mike Delany in line to become the latest test All Blacks - there was no doubt the peripheral figures of the tour so far were anticipating the whistle-up.

"I don't know if I'm starting yet, but if I do get the opportunity I'll try to make the most of it," said McAlister who is clearly keen to put his injury-ravaged season behind him.

"Everyone wants to play but there's 33 players, so it's all about what the coaches think," added Afoa. "The guys got a good, gutsy win against Wales and we want to make sure we back it up this week."

There's one other factor that will keep the All Blacks on their toes in a week that will have the big names like McCaw and Carter performing more off the field than on it.

Last time out the Italians embarrassed the All Blacks in Christchurch as the home side bumbled to a 27-6 victory.

"They're a team that's climbing, they've got a lot of talent and they're going to be tough, especially at home," said McAlister.

Added Afoa on the likely challenge up front: "It's just their physical size - they've got the passion and drive and they pride themselves at the set piece."

The San Siro awaits. It just remains to be seen whether Italy can get their full house as excited as the Welsh managed last weekend.

- © Fairfax NZ News