KEY POINTS:
Lock Ali Williams will be the only All Black to start every test this season when he turns out this weekend at the Twickenham arena where his international career began six years ago.
It is a remarkable effort from Williams and a huge endorsement from the coaching staff as the lock has been struggling with a foot injury for much of the season. Nothing short of illness or some late mishap will stop Williams beginning his 15th test this season.
The All Black selectors made just one switch for the Grand Slam tilt with last week's centre against Wales, Richard Kahui giving way to Conrad Smith who has recovered from a niggly groin injury. The rest of the team and reserves are unchanged from the combinations which have been in place for the last few weeks.
"It was pretty straightforward," coach Graham Henry said of the selection. "Smith has been playing good rugby all year, he was the number one centre coming over and we are back to our number one line-up."
Williams, Keven Mealamu, Daniel Carter and captain Richie McCaw will be the only squad members involved in all five tests on tour with McCaw and Carter having cameo sub roles against Scotland and Mealamu involved in all but the opening four minutes against the Wallabies in Hong Kong when he took over from the injured Andrew Hore.
But it is the 27-year-old Williams whose selection means a start in every test on this trip to add to his earlier appearances in every other All Black international this season. This will be his 61st test, Mealamu will measure up for his 65th cap, Mils Muliaina will play his 69th while McCaw tops the pile with this match his 70th international.
"It is a huge honour," Williams said, "and something I am particularly proud of."
He damaged his foot in the second test against England this year in Christchurch and recovered to play the next against the Springboks in Wellington and every other test since.
McCaw had played nine tests when he was rested along with 20 others for the All Blacks 2002 tour to Europe as the coaches looked to safeguard players for the next World Cup. Williams and Mealamu made their debuts on that trip while Muliaina was not chosen until the following year.
Williams was one of three rookie test locks on that trip alongside Keith Robinson and Bradley Mika, and made his debut in the opening 28-31 loss to England at Twickenham. The All Blacks went on to draw with France and beat Wales.
Williams was a late inclusion for the 2003 World Cup after an initial foot injury scare and, apart from a few form dips and injury, has been a consistent selection ever since under Graham Henry's tutelage. A likeable rogue who pushes the boundaries, Williams fell out with Blues coach David Nucifora over some of his more eccentric behaviour.
He transferred to Tasman to become eligible for the Crusaders where he came under the guidance of Robbie Deans and where many of his buddies, like McCaw, were playing. It is perhaps no coincidence that Williams' improvement has occurred after his association with Brad Thorn.
Thorn had a reputation as a fierce competitor at rugby league while also being a bit of a hellraiser. He toned down the hard living when he converted to Christianity about eight years ago and increased the efforts he put into his sport. He has also placed those professional sporting demands on Williams and the pair have become a dependable combination at the Super 14 and All Blacks level.
