KEY POINTS:
MARSEILLE - There is an edge to Ali Williams, whether he is padding around the hotel foyer, skylarking for the cameras or getting stuck into training.
The 25-year-old All Black lock is always ready for combat - vocal or physical - even if he has not always shown that quality in his 37-test, Super or provincial rugby career.
For a bloke who took up the sport in his late teens, Williams has made huge gains while still managing to frustrate those who have invested in his progress.
For Williams though, the selection tourniquet is just starting to tighten, the pressure is rising in the squeeze towards making the next World Cup squad.
Williams made the last group in 2003 in Australia where the options available to coach John Mitchell were not vast. Chris Jack and Williams played the bulk of matches with backup from Brad Thorn.
A year earlier when 21 experienced All Blacks were left behind for the trip to Europe, Williams made his first tour. He made his debut alongside another first cap, Keith Robinson, at Twickenham.
That combination has not been used on this trip but if Williams has a big game against France at Lyon on Sunday, the chances of a 2002 selection repeat will increase.
Williams needs a strong display with the rising claims of Robinson, Jason Eaton and James Ryan, and his response this week is sure to be watched closely by the selectors.
Williams has been able to get by on his talent, wit and lack of competition but he has little room to manoeuvre as the internal rivalry intensifies.
And that is just where the selectors want Williams. They like his edge, he has bulked up since his test debut and he has that precious sporting commodity he shares with Robinson - they are not averse to getting a little nasty.
Jack has the physique selectors dream about for a second-rower and skills which are uncommonly varied for such a huge man. But sometimes, even by his own admission, he can be a bit placid if that term should ever be used about an international lock who has played 56 tests.
Jack though has admitted there are times when he needs prompting to get into his work whereas Robinson and Williams always appear snarlingly ready to go.
Williams and Ryan are among the 10 changes for Sunday's initial test against France as the selectors stayed true to their wish to alternate most of the squad after the 41-20 win against England.
"The middle row, we think there is a lot of competition there," coach Graham Henry said.
"Jason Eaton will be feeling a bit sad that he is not in one of the first two tests at this stage so there is a lot of competition with Keith Robinson and James Ryan coming back from injury which is good for the team and creating a lot of competition there."
The success of the lineout against England did not divert the selectors from their plan to use another locking pair against France.
The second selection had not had a great deal of time together, their preparation was limited and they had not played much recently but if the objective was to give everyone their chance, then those were the associated risks.
That policy had created depth and competition for places.
Five-eighths Nick Evans had not been considered because of his hamstring strain while there were still doubts about Neemia Tialata's fitness to cover both sides of the scrum from the bench. A decision on his involvement would determine the forward reserves.
