Pool D New Zealand v Italy preview: John Kirwan was the player who announced the arrival of the first Rugby World Cup in 1987 with a 65-metre try for New Zealand against Italy in the opening match of the tournament. Tomorrow, as coach of the Azzurri, he will come up against the men in black (5.30 a.m., ITV2).
"Sure there will be some emotion and I will sing both anthems," said Kirwan. "But my playing days are long gone.
"Sport is about what lies ahead, and my players have the chance of a lifetime. They've got to go for it, never mind who they are playing."
It is hard to imagine now, with the World Cup providing the financial lifeblood of international rugby union, but 16 years ago it was regarded as something of a sideshow.
New Zealand and Australia hosted the first tournament, with the opening match played at Eden Park in Auckland before a crowd of little more than 20,000.
Kirwan scored six tries in that tournament as the All Blacks went on to defeat France in the final.
"I am proud of what I achieved as a player, but I was part of a very good side," he said.
"Italy then were feeling their way in the international arena, but things are very different for us now. We are part of the Six Nations and the players have an excellent back-up team."
Kirwan will not admit that the group stage is all about who finishes second to New Zealand in Pool D but his selection for tomorrow does his talking for him, with several leading players, including the captain Alessandro Troncon, left out.
"We have a game four days later against Tonga and our schedule for this tournament is unfair," said Kirwan.
"What I have tried to do is strike a balance for the two games and we will be going out to win against the All Blacks.
"It is up to every team in our group to ensure that they do not have an easy ride into the quarter-finals.
"What this World Cup needs is for one of the minor nations to do well," Kirwan added.
Italy have played New Zealand twice in World Cups since their 70-6 opening defeat, pushing the holders to a creditable 31-21 scoreline in 1991 before shipping 101 points against them eight years later.
Meanwhile, New Zealand coach John Mitchell insisted injured lock Ali Williams will play at some stage in the pool stages, despite only being passed fit to fly with the squad to Melbourne at the very last minute after fracturing his foot.
"Ali will have to continue rehab for another week. We have got a plan in mind about when to bring him back," said Mitchell, "he will play in the pool games at some stage."
NEW ZEALAND: M Muliaina; D Howlett, T Umaga, D Carter, K Rokocoko; C Spencer, J Marshall; D Hewett, K Mealamu, G Somerville, B Thorn, C Jack, R Thorne (captain), R McCaw, J Collins. Replacements: M Hammett, K Meeuws, R So'oialo, M Holah, S Devine, M Nonu, L MacDonald.
ITALY: G Peens; M Bergamasco, A Masi, M Barbibi, N Mazzucato; F Mazzariol, M Mazzantini; S Perugini, C Festuccia, R Martinez, C Checchinato (captain), C Bezzi, S Palmer, M Bergamasco, M Phillips. Replacements: F Ongaro, M Castrogiovanni, S Parisse, A Benatti, A Troncon, R Wakarua-Noema, G Canale.
