Joe Rokocoko who has scored thirty six tries for New Zeland has not even made the Kiwi’s bench for their first world cup fixture of 2007 against Italy at the Velodrome in Marseille on Saturday.
Doug Howlett & Sitiveni Sivivatu play out wide for New Zealand instead, the other noteworthy selection is Keven Mealam over Anton Oliver at hooker.
New Zealand team versus Italy
Backs: Muliaina; Howlett, Smith, McAlister, Sivivatu; Carter, Kelleher
Forwards: Woodcock, Mealamu, Hayman, Jack, Williams, Collins, McCaw, So’oialo
Reserves: Oliver, Tialata, Thorne, Lauaki, Leonard, Mauger, MacDonald.