KEY POINTS:
Seven All Blacks picked to begin the 2003 World Cup quest against Italy return for the start of the latest campaign against the same rivals.
Four forwards and three backs who led the initial assault four years ago are part of a formidable group chosen for the opening charge against the Azurri in Marseille on Saturday.
The survivors are Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Chris Jack and Keven Mealamu in the pack while Daniel Carter, Doug Howlett and Mils Muliaina were backs who helped the side to a 70-7 victory in 2003.
While the scale of the victory was impressive, the match will be remembered for the tournament-exit of Tana Umaga when he damaged his knee in a collision with Carlos Spencer.
Umaga will be in the stands at Marseille this week, watching as a former All Black and recently-appointed coaching director of the nearby Toulon club. He will take special interest in the form of his provincial teammate Conrad Smith who makes his belated first test start this season at centre after eye-socket and hamstring injuries.
Smith has been named in combination with Luke McAlister, a midfield pairing which began its test life during the 47-3 thumping of France last year in Lyon.
They played together once more on that tour but have been unable to combine since because one or the other has been injured. There has been some concern about McAlister this week because of a hamstring twinge which took him out of training and if he cannot play Aaron Mauger will take his place.
Captain Richie McCaw also received a heavy head knock in yesterday's practice and there were some anxious looks as he took some time to recover. However, he flew later that day to Paris with coach Graham Henry and scrum coach Mike Cron for the World Cup referees summit.
McCaw will lead a side which is a near-best. Wing Joe Rokocoko and hooker Anton Oliver have been preferred starters this season while lock Keith Robinson is not available because of calf muscle strain.
Ali Williams returns after missing five tests, Howlett on 43 test tries is given a chance to edge closer to Christian Cullen's try-scoring mark of 46 for the All Blacks while ball-running Mealamu should thrive in the hard, fast and 30C conditions.
"We are all excited to play our first World Cup match," Henry said. "All the players are very enthusiastic. In fact, we probably need to be sure that we play sensible rugby and don't get over-excited.
"Italy showed their competitiveness in the Six Nations early in the year and against Ireland two weeks ago and they will have a lot supporters in the stadium. We'll need to be accurate and patient to meet their challenge."
Collins and Carter backup from playing Italy in 2003 in Melbourne but in their now accustomed positions after Collins played No 8 in that match and Carter played second five-eighths outside Carlos Spencer.
Italy made a late arrival into their headquarters in Marseille today, wily former French halfback and coach Pierre Berbizier keeping them at home to train.
His side has already achieved a record this year with two victories in the Six Nations, including an away win against Scotland. Those two nations are vying to be the second qualifier from the All Blacks pool.
Italy have never made the World Cup quarter-finals and have been drawn in the All Blacks pool in every tournament except 1995. In what some optimists will see as an omen, the Azurri were beaten by the All Blacks in the opening game of the All Blacks solitary Webb Ellis Cup success in 1987.
Italy has a pack which will test the All Blacks if they are not tuned in. Martin Castrogiovanni's has a strong reputation as a prop as does his front row companion Andrea Lo Cicero.
Captain Marco Bortolami, Santiago Dellap and loose forwards Mauro Bergamasco and Sergio Parisse are all rugged customers with a great deal of experience.
ALL BLACKS
Backs
Mils Muliaina, Doug Howlett, Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Byron Kelleher.
Forwards
Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw, Jerry Collins, Ali Williams, Chris Jack, Carl Hayman, Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Anton Oliver, Neemia Tialata, Reuben Thorne, Sione Lauaki, Brendon Leonard, Aaron Mauger, Leon MacDonald
