KEY POINTS:
MARSEILLE - If the All Blacks were looking for a dose of reality on the eve of a rugby World Cup tournament they are favoured to win, it came when Italy named their team today.
The presence of solid centre Andrea Masi for Saturday's pool match at Stade Velodrome doesn't seem significant but it should send a stark reminder to New Zealand that nothing can be taken for granted at this tournament.
It was a collision between Masi and opposite Tana Umaga in the corresponding game at Melbourne four years ago that had massive ramifications for the All Blacks' 2003 Cup campaign.
The inspirational Umaga hobbled from the field in the 24th minute and, as it unfolded, from the tournament. He was sadly missed when the All Blacks bowed out to Australia in the semifinals.
As much as anything else, that incident will have this New Zealand team on high alert that fate can play a role over the next seven weeks, starting on Saturday against an Italian side who are near full strength and out to enhance their growing international status.
The part that injury might play was further hammered home today as three All Blacks came under the microscope.
Centre Conrad Smith, due to make his first start of an injury-plagued year, stepped out late from training after feeling a tightening of his hamstring.
It will be assessed tomorrow, as will the hamstring of reserve forward Reuben Thorne, who didn't take a full part in today's run.
Captain Richie McCaw didn't appear at training as he has picked up a virus but it is not deemed serious.
Injuries, momentum, selections and passionate opponents all have the potential to derail this campaign, something McCaw was well aware of.
"Sometimes the team with the best players doesn't turn out to be the best at the tournament," he said.
"You've got to be the best team at the tournament. If you've got some talent, and we do here, then you're off to not a bad start."
McCaw said his side were mentally primed, citing their loss to the Wallabies in Melbourne - the only defeat this year - as the perfect tonic for any player who may have started to coast.
"The loss in Australia forced us to have a good hard look at ourselves. There were things we didn't get right," McCaw said.
"There's certainly no complacency. A lot of us have played a fair bit of rugby and also were involved four years ago and realise you can't afford to be.
"Those experiences certainly made me realise what it takes. We're going to have to be pretty good for seven weeks if we're going to be in with a shot."
McCaw said the most important difference between now and 2003 was the support of other experienced players, something missing in the Thorne-led campaign.
A statistic released today by tournament organisers shows the All Blacks have more combined experience of World Cup tests than any of the 20 teams in France.
The players have been involved in 94 Cup matches, followed by France (87), Australia (86) and England (85).
The All Blacks have enjoyed a warm, welcoming week in Marseille but, for many, the weekend can't come quickly enough.
"Not playing so many games this year has made the guys itchy to get out on the field, and that's the way it should be," McCaw said.
"I feel as good as I've been at any time of my career. I wouldn't say I'm a whole lot better but I'm certainly fresh, which is a good thing going into a tournament like this."
FACTBOX: NZ V ITALY
History of results:
1987: NZ 70 Italy 6 at Auckland (World Cup)
1991: NZ 31 Italy 21 at Leicester (World Cup)
1995: NZ 70 Italy 6 at Bologna
1999: NZ 101 Italy 3 at Huddersfield (World Cup)
2000: NZ 56 Italy 19 at Genoa
2002: NZ 64 Italy 10 at Hamilton
2003: NZ 70 Italy 7 at Melbourne (World Cup)
2004: NZ 59 Italy 10 at Rome
Played 8. NZ 8 Italy 0.
Points scored: NZ 521 Italy 82
Tries scored: NZ 77 Italy 7
Average score: NZ 65 Italy 10
Most points in a test:
Tony Brown (NZ) 36 in 1999
Diego Dominguez (Italy) 13 in 1991
Total starting caps:
NZ 611 Italy 589
- NZPA
