Italy will be aiming to justify their elevation to Six Nations Championship status when they take on the All Blacks in front of a sell-out crowd in the McAlpine Stadium today.
Although they clawed back some respect after the 67-7 hammering by England during their agonising 28-25 defeat by Tonga in Leicester on Sunday, their rehabilitation could suffer a setback at the hands of New Zealand, even with 11 changes to the side that beat England.
The All Blacks include only Jonah Lomu, Taine Randell, Jeff Wilson and Craig Dowd from the side that started against England as coach John Hart takes the opportunity to rest his players.
Italy, beaten by the last kick of the match against Tonga, have made two changes, with former Australian rugby league winger Nick Zisti recalled for his second cap in place of Fabio Roselli and hooker Andrea Moretti taking the place of Alessandro Moscardi.
New Zealand: J Wilson; G Osborne, P Alatini, D Gibson, J Lomu; T Brown, B Kelleher; G Feek, M Hammett, C Dowd, I Jones, R Willis, D Mika, T Randell (capt), A Blowers. Replacements: C Cullen, A Mehrtens, R Duggan, S Robertson, R Brooke, C Hoeft or K Meeuws, A Oliver.
Italy: M Pini; P Vaccari, C Stoica, S Ceppolino, N Zisti; D Dominguez, A Troncon; A Moreno, A Moretti, A Castellani, C Checchinato, M Giacheri, M Giovanelli (capt), S Saviozzi, C Caione. Replacements: N Mazzucato, F Mazzariol, G Mazzi, O Arancio, W Cristofoletto, F Properzi, A Moscardi.
Pool D: Wales v Samoa
Cardiff, 3.0 (ITV)
Wales coach Graham Henry has described Neil Jenkins as "the world's best goal-kicker" as Jenkins is set to rewrite the record books against Samoa at the Millennium Stadium today.
The Cardiff out-half requires one successful kick - or a try - to succeed Australian legend Michael Lynagh as the most prolific international points scorer of all-time.
Jenkins matched Lynagh's magic 911 figure during the 64-15 win over Japan four days ago, taking two Tests more - 71 for Wales and three as a British Lion - but three years less than a player whose record has stood since 1995.
Wales: S Howarth; G Thomas, M Taylor, S Gibbs, D James; N Jenkins, R Howley (capt); P Rogers, G Jenkins, D Young, G Llewellyn, C Wyatt, M Williams, S Quinnell, B Sinkinson. Replacements: S Jones, J Jones-Hughes, D Llewellyn, M Voyle, B Evans, A Lewis, G Lewis.
Samoa: S Leaega; A So'oalo, T Vaega, V Tuigamala, B Lima; S Bachop, S So'oialo; B Reidy, T Leota, R Ale, L Falaniko, L Tome, J Paramore, P Lam, C Glendinning. Replacements: G Leaupepe, E Va'a, J Clarke, S Sitti, S Ta'ala, M Mika, O Matauiau.
Pool C: Canada v Namibia
Toulouse, 8.30
Namibia believe that they can cause the first real upset of the World Cup by beating 1991 quarter-finalists Canada today.
With Canada's burly out-half Gareth Rees playing in what could be his last appearance on the world stage and several of the Namibians playing for lucrative professional contracts from leading clubs, the match promises to at last provide the so called `Group of Sleep' with a wake-up call.
Canada: S Stewart; W Stanley, D Lougheed, K Nichols, J Pagano; G Rees (capt), M Williams; R Show, M Cardinal, J Thiel, J Tait, M James, J Hutchinson, A Charron, D Baugh. Replacements: R Bice, D Dunkley, R Banks, M Schmid, J Graf, B Ross, S Bryan.
Namibia: G wan Wyk; L van Dyk, G Janse van Rensburg, S van Der Merwe, A Samuelson; J Zaayman, R Jantjies; E Smith, H Horn, G Opperman, H Senekal, P Steyn, Q Hough (capt), S Furter, M van Rooyen. Replacements: D Farmer, L Holtzhausen, R Pedro, J Theron, H Lintvelt, A Blaauw, F Fisch.
