Masaga set for NZ debut

The All Blacks have made seven changes to the team to face Italy on Saturday with Wyatt Crockett and Lelia Masaga making their debuts.

Chiefs winger handed chance to shine against Italy

The All Blacks have made seven changes to the team to face Italy on Saturday with prop Wyatt Crockett and winger Lelia Masaga making their Test debuts. Chiefs ace Masaga, 22, starts on the right wing alongside Joe Rokocoko, with 26-year-old Crusaders loosehead prop Crockett teaming up with Keven Mealamu and John Afoa in the front row. Other key features of the starting XV are the return from injury of Ali Williams (Achilles), who will be playing in his 62nd Test match, and Brendon Leonard (hamstring). Luke McAlister will start at fly-half ahead of Stephen Donald, who suffered a hamstring strain in last weekend's win over France in Wellington, while Isaia Toeava is at centre combining in the midfield with Ma'a Nonu. The loose forward trio of Jerome Kaino, Tanerau Latimer and Kieran Read is unchanged, while Brad Thorn again starts at lock alongside Williams. Crusaders tighthead prop Owen Franks, called into the All Blacks as prop cover, comes onto the bench, along with Aled de Malmanche, Tony Woodcock, Isaac Ross, George Whitelock, Piri Weepu and Cory Jane. The team will again be captained by full-back Mils Muliaina, who will become the fifth most-capped All Black in history in his 71st Test. Centre Conrad Smith and prop Neemia Tialata, who are carrying injuries following the French Test, were not considered for selection "We are looking for continued improvement after our win over France, but we know that the Italians will be as well after their two losses to Australia, so it will be another physical Test," said All Blacks coach Graham Henry. New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina (c), 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 Ali Williams, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 John Afoa, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: 16 Aled de Malmanche, 17 Tony Woodcock, 18 Owen Franks, 19 Isaac Ross, 20 George Whitelock, 21 Piri Weepu, 22 Cory Jane.