The All Blacks want to make a bang heard across France as they announce their strongest team to face Italy in the rugby World Cup pool match on Saturday.

Coach Graham Henry named what he agreed was close to his best 15 for a Marseille fixture he expected to be far more challenging than what most pundits believe.

Henry aims to give all his players game time inside their first two pool C games, meaning a team of largely second-choice players will face minnows Portugal at Lyon on Saturday next week.

The return of injury-plagued centre Conrad Smith is a highlight of Thursday's team comprising four changes from the 26-12 defeat of Australia in Auckland nearly seven weeks ago.

Smith will make his first Test start of the year, alongside Luke McAlister, reuniting the midfield pairing that was so impressive on last November's tour of Europe.

All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith was keen to field Smith as soon as possible and said McAlister, rather than Aaron Mauger, was a player better suited to being inside him.

If the pair impress - and Smith reportedly is heavier and faster than ever - they could well be the midfield used in the knockout phase of the tournament.

Another key change is the lively Keven Mealamu starting at hooker ahead of scrummaging powerhouse Anton Oliver, who has held the first-choice tag for much of 2007.

"We're trying to get Anton a wee bit more explosive in what he's doing," Henry said.

"Coming off the bench is an opportunity to do that again."

Oliver played at loose forward in the final All Blacks camp trial game last month to help improve his dynamism.

Doug Howlett's consistent form has been rewarded with a start on the right wing ahead of Joe Rokocoko, with Sitiveni Sivivatu on the left.

"We thought Doug played particularly well in the Air NZ Cup before we left. He hasn't been in the top 15 for a while so it's a pat on the back for what he's achieved," Henry said.

"It's pretty close. There's a lot of decisions still to be made and we'll make some decisions as we go along.

"We want to make sure that all the guys get an opportunity."

Aside from Howlett, Mealamu and Smith, the other change from the Auckland test sees Ali Williams take the place of injured lock Keith Robinson.

Henry spent Wednesday in Paris at a meeting of tournament coaches and referees.

He emerged content with what was said about the two most contentious parts of the game - scrum engagements and the breakdown - but didn't want to divulge details.

His concern about the safety of his players in the heat of early afternoon matches was also expressed. Common sense will prevail, he said, with water to be readily available to players if it is needed.

Henry railed against those who were predicting a straightforward win over Italy.

The Italians were fourth in this year's Six Nations tournament, securing wins over Scotland in Edinburgh and Wales at home.

They were unlucky not to beat Ireland last month, going down 20-23 in a warm-up match at Belfast.

"I think they've progressed a huge amount as a rugby-playing country, I think the Six Nations has enabled them to do that," Henry said.

"Quite frankly they should have beaten the Irish the other day, they had the better of the game and were the better team.

"We're not going in with any preconceived ideas that we're going to win this game and win it well."

Therefore expansive play may have to wait until the basics were attended to, he added.

"It's very important that we try to establish some control. Hopefully we can do that and then we can play a game that we're keen to play."

The All Blacks enjoyed a light-hearted training session, dividing into groups which contested a series of competitions, ranging from tug-of-wars to drinking races - with energy drinks.

AAP