Watch our lips, says Muliaina

The All Blacks may sing the national anthem with slightly more gusto at tonight's test against Italy in Christchurch just don't expect it to sound that good.

After public criticism of the All Blacks' failure to exercise their vocal cords during God Defend New Zealand, captain Mils Muliaina and coach Graham Henry yesterday fielded questions about the issue.

Muliaina said most of the team were singing, even though it might not appear that way.

"We've had a brief discussion as players and I think the majority of the group do," he said.

"If you look at the French and compare them to us, we probably just open our lips a little bit."

Muliaina believed the All Blacks players had reserved personalities, which was reflective of New Zealand as a whole, although they were all "passionate" about representing their country and about the anthem.

"One of the reasons [they don't sing], they're not very good singers in this team," he said.

"Jimmy Cowan doesn't sing it and I've actually just realised why, because he can't sing."

Henry said he had "not instructed the players to sing the anthem yet [but] I think it's a decision they will come to.

"I think they should sing the anthem, for sure."

The All Blacks won more fans among young Christchurch rugby players and their mothers yesterday when several dropped by to watch their games.

The All Blacks, including injured Cantabrian Richie McCaw, visited South Hagley Park for a round of the Canterbury Primary Schools Winter Weekly Sport competition. McCaw attracted plenty of attention from the players and supporters, starting the second half of one match with a dropkick and posing for photos with excited mothers.

Canterbury lock Isaac Ross was also popular, signing autographs for young fans.

Christchurch's Italian community is promising to put on a passionate display at tonight's AMI Stadium test, even if thousands of seats are empty.

Ticket sales for the match continue to disappoint, with about 16,000 tickets sold for the 26,000-seat ground as of yesterday afternoon.

Italian expatriate Wilma Laryn, who moved to New Zealand in 1996, said many of the 100-strong Christchurch Italian community were planning to attend the test.

"We will have 50 Italians from here plus Wellington and Auckland coming to the game, and we will be waving our flags and wearing our colours."

Laryn said the poor ticket sales were understandable given the time of year and the cost of the tickets.

Ticket prices range from $40 for an adult in uncovered stands to $115 in the covered section of the Paul Kelly Stand.

- NZPA and Sam Sachdeva, The Press