New Zealand lose Williams for Italy test

WELLINGTON (Reuters) - New Zealand's hopes of using Saturday's one-off test against Italy as a glorified warm-up for this season's Tri-Nations hit another snag on Thursday when lock Ali Williams was forced to pull out.

Williams had been sidelined with Achilles injury but was rushed back into the starting side against Italy after the coaching staff and New Zealand public were unhappy with the team's performances in the drawn test series with France.

The All Blacks have already been hard hit by a crippling casualty list this season and the prospect of an easy win against the Italians was the perfect opportunity to experiment with a new combination.

But their plans came unstuck when Williams withdrew from the match after training on Thursday, paving the way for Isaac Ross to start at lock.

"This was the test I was hoping to get a start in, my home track and everything," Ross said. "I'm pretty gutted for Ali but one man's misfortune is another man's treasure, so it's great."

New Zealand made six changes to the side that narrowly beat France 14-10 in Wellington last weekend, awarding first caps to winger Lelia Masaga and prop Wyatt Crockett.

Although overwhelming favourites to beat Italy easily, the All Blacks have still been put on notice that they need to perform against Italy or risk their international playing futures.

"We've got a lot of pressure on ourselves to make improvements," assistant coach Wayne Smith said. "I think a lot of people are on trial, that's the nature of the beast."

The Italians have not won a match all year and lost both games against Australia this month but have picked their strongest available lineup for Saturday's clash in Christchurch in the hope of avoiding a heavy loss.

"The players are aware that to finish the season against New Zealand in New Zealand is a fantastic opportunity and a great experience," Italy coach Nick Mallett said.

"If they take it like that and produce the best that they can, I'm hoping we can give the All Blacks a really good game."

Teams:

New Zealand - 15-Mils Muliaina (captain), 14-Lelia Masaga, 13-Isaia Toeava, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 11-Joe Rokocoko, 10-Luke McAlister, 9-Brendon Leonard, 8-Kieran Read, 7-Tanerau Latimer, 6-Jerome Kaino, 5-Isaac Ross, 4-Brad Thorn, 3-John Afoa, 2-Keven Mealamu, 1-Wyatt Crockett.

Italy - 15-Luke McLean, 14-Kaine Robertson, 13-Gonzalo Canale, 12-Gonzalo Garcia, 11-Mirco Bergamasco, 10-Craig Gower, 9-Tito Tebaldi, 8-Sergio Parisse (captain), 7-Mauro Bergamasco, 6-Alessandro Zanni, 5-Marco Bortolami, 4-Quintin Geldenhuys, 3-Ignacio Rouyet, 2-Leonardo Ghiraldini, 1-Salvatore Perugini.

(Reporting by Julian Linden in Sydney; Editing by Nick Mulvenney)