Ali thanks his lucky stars [audio report]

Ali Williams

BRISBANE - All Blacks rugby lock Ali Williams doesn't know what he's done to head off Jason Eaton - but he may be buying a lotto ticket this week.

The Auckland beanpole will don the No 5 jersey alongside his regular partner in crime Chris Jack in the Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup test against Australia here on Saturday, with the All Blacks forwards hoping to repeat the dominance they showed in the competition opener in Christchurch earlier this month.

Williams' selection ahead of young Eaton, who has made huge strides in his debut Super 14 season and in rare appearances in the black jersey, raised some eyebrows - none more so than his own.

"The guy's played pretty well this season and I'm pretty lucky to be playing I think," Williams told NZPA.

"Possibly it's the combinations you build up over time, you never really know but I was definitely surprised.

"Generally, I've been happy with my form but Jason's played some superb rugby."

Williams is the only change from the starting side who played so impressively in dispatching the Wallabies 32-12 in Christchurch on July 8.

Coach Graham Henry offered experience as the main reason for Williams' inclusion, and reading between the lines, perhaps his aerial skills at lineouts and kickoffs gave him a slight edge.

So far the season hasn't been vintage for Williams as he struggled for form alongside his frustrated Blues teammates in the Super 14 but started to show glimpses of his best in recent weeks.

While the focus is on the powerful front row where the All Blacks will expect to gain scrum dominance, the lineout contest will also be important as both talent-laden backlines bank on go-forward ball to get them rolling.

The All Blacks lineout was jittery in the 35-17 win over the Springboks on Saturday but the return of the more familiar hooker Keven Mealamu, replacing Anton Oliver, would make a difference, Williams said.

"They went bloody well last time (against Australia) so that was a good thing. South Africa was a few little hiccups, different combinations can alter things. We're back with Keven this week, a bit more familiarity and solidity."

Williams said the lineout contest was equally as crucial as the scrums, with better defensive systems meaning more kicking for touch.

But it will all start with the first clash of heads in the scrum with Tony Woodcock and Carl Hayman highly likely to dominate greenhorns Rodney Blake and Greg Holmes.

Williams said the All Blacks' scrum dominance from Christchurch spilled over into other areas, with the lineout running smoothly and the All Blacks also dominating the breakdown.

"Generally they go side by side, the confidence builds off both of them (scrums and lineouts). It's the starting of the game again and confidence definitely does spill over into other areas.

"If we do our jobs right in the scrum we can do it again."

Wallabies vice-captain and lineout kingpin Dan Vickerman was yesterday passed fit to play at lock after shoulder problems, meaning a titanic battle in the air for the All Blacks.

The problem from Saturday in Wellington mentioned by All Blacks players this week was worrying too much about what the Springboks were doing as lock Victor Matfield caused disruptions.

"We're more concerned about how ours go. Defensively Australia have a fantastic lineout, we've got to be on our game and do things right," Williams said.

Wallabies coach John Connolly has made just one change from the team who beat South Africa 49-0 here on July 15, with Blake returning from an ankle injury for Guy Shepherdson.

Connolly admitted it was a huge task for Blake but warned against thinking the scrum battle would solely decide the outcome.

"I don't think so. Last time we gave New Zealand a number of opportunities, they didn't give us a great deal," Connolly said.

"I think the lineout will be a huge factor, and the breakdown, right across the board. The scrums will be a factor, but not the only one."

- NZPA