All Blacks v Italy: Teams

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith has admitted that a number of players are "on trial" for selection for the Tri-Nations.

New Zealand take on Italy on the back of the drawn series with France - and with Smith insisting that places for the games against Australia and South Africa are there to be won and lost.

"I think a lot of people are on trial, that's the nature of the beast," he said.

"There's probably an uncomfortable feeling for a lot of players. We don't come out and say, 'you've got to nail this opportunity' but I think there's an inherent understanding that this is the opportunity. That 'if I'm going to make my mark, it's got to be now'."

The All Blacks have made a number changes to the team to face the Azzurri on Saturday with prop Wyatt Crockett and winger Lelia Masaga set for their Test debuts.

Chiefs ace Masaga, 22, starts on the right wing, with 26-year-old Crusaders loosehead prop Crockett teaming up with Keven Mealamu and John Afoa in the front row

Brendon Leonard returns to the side after recovering from a hamstring strain, and he will partner Luke McAlister at half-back.

Changes

Isaia Toeava is in at centre and will combine in the midfield with Ma'a Nonu.

Ali Williams, though, misses out after suffering from a reoccurrence of an Achilles injury in training.

Nick Mallett's has made eight changes after the back-to-back defeats to Australia - with his current line-up looking his strongest XV.

Six of the changes have come in the pack, with Mauro Bergamasco, Alessandro Zanni, Quintin Geldenhuys, Ignacio Rouyet, Leonardo Ghiraldini and Salvatore Perugini coming into the side.

In the backs, Giulio Rubini and Alberto Sgarbi are named on the wings.

"In the second Test there were a few younger players who did exceptionally well," said Mallett.

"I don't think it's a question that Italy has got a really strong team, a lot of the guys are interchangeable."

New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina (capt), 14 Lelia Masaga, 13 Isaia Toeava, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Josevata 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.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Owen Franks, 19 Bryn Evans, 20 George Whitelock, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Cory Jane.

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.
Replacements: 16 Franco Sbaraglini, 17 Fabio Staibano, 18 Carlo Antonio Del Fava, 19 Simone Favaro, 20 Giulio Toniolatti, 21 Kristopher Burton, 22 Matteo Pratichetti.