CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand (AFP) - The All Blacks will be looking to justify their number one world ranking when they play Italy here Saturday following two indifferent performances against France.

The home side narrowly held on to their top spot over South Africa when they scraped home 14-10 in the second French Test to square the series but there were questions over the quality of their play.

Against Italy, the Six Nations wooden spooners, they have a yardstick by which to prove either the French were very good or this All Blacks side is average.

There is little chance of the 12th-ranked Italians pulling off an upset after arriving in New Zealand off the back of two hidings in Australia.

But all eyes will be on the quality of the All Blacks play and whether they can better Australia's performances.

It is also the last run for the All Blacks before the Tri-Nations series with Australia and South Africa starts next month, and coach Graham Henry warned positions were at stake within his squad.

"We think it's going to be a hell of a hard Test on Saturday. The Italian forwards gave the Aussies a bit of a run around, particularly at scrum time," Henry said.

"I think none of them (All Blacks) are complacent enough to think that their position is always going to be with the All Blacks.

"They're all on a bit of an edge. The Tri-Nations squad is announced next Saturday and they know about that."

The forwards have traditionally been an area where the All Blacks have dominated but they struggled against France and veteran Italian lock Marco Bortolami said it was an area the Azzurri would look to exploit.

"It was very interesting to see how the French forwards put the All Blacks under pressure, at the breakdown especially," Bortolami said.

"The key thing against the southern hemisphere teams is that you slow down their ball, otherwise they play too quick and it's very difficult to defend against them."

Italy are expected to use a rush-defence similar to that employed by the French to cramp the attacking skills of the potent All Blacks backs.

"I think a lot of teams will look at what the French did to shut us down and learn from that," said All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith, who has played and coached in Italy.

The All Blacks have made six changes to the side that ran out against France in the second Test, with wing Lelia Masaga and prop Wyatt Crockett making their international debuts.

Senior lock Ali Williams was also set to rejoin the fold but suffered a flare-up of the Achilles tendon injury which kept him out of the French Tests and is now unlikely to be fit for the Tri-Nations.

Italy, who have lost their past 10 internationals and have never beaten the All Blacks, have made eight changes from their second Test team against Australia.

Coach Nick Mallett said his selections were based on performances in the two Australian Tests.

He has a powerful forward pack, and in former Australian rugby league international Craig Gower he has a flyhalf capable directing play with world-class quality.

But this should not be enough to withstand a black tide defending a record of averaging a 56-point winning margin in Tests against Italy and with Tri-Nations places on the line.

"A lot of people are on trial so there is probably an uncomfortable feeling for a lot of players," Smith said.

"But that is good and what has made All Black teams strong and vibrant in the past."

Teams (15-1)

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina (captain), Lelia Masaga, Isaia Toeava, Ma'a Nonu, Joe Rokocoko, Luke McAlister, Brendon Leonard, Kieran Read, Tanerau Latimer, Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, John Afoa, Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett.

Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, Tony Woodcock, Owen Franks, Bryn Evans, George Whitelock, Piri Weepu, Cory Jane.

Italy: Luke McLean; Kaine Robertson, Gonzalo Canale, Gonzalo Garcia, Mirco Bergamasco; Craig Gower, Tito Tebaldi; Sergio Parisse (captain), Mauro Bergamasco, Alessandro Zanni; Marco Bortolami, Quintin Geldenhuys; Ignacio Rouyet, Leonardo Ghiraldini, Salvatore Perugini

Reserves: Franco Sbaraglini, Fabio Staibano, Carlo Antonio Del Fava, Simone Favaro, Guilio Toniolatti, Kristopher Burton, Matteo Pratichetti

Referee: George Clancy (IRL)