All Whites to keep the faith

New Zealand are set to field an unchanged side for their second World Cup match against holders Italy.

With midfielder Tim Brown still to fully recover from a shoulder injury, coach Ricki Herbert has hinted at keeping the same XI that started their drawn Group F opener against Slovakia.

Gianluigi Buffon will be missing for Italy and is likely to be sidelined for four months after deciding to undergo an operation on a herniated disc after the World Cup.

New Zealand coach Ricki Herbert said: "It's hard to go past a side that's created more history.

"It's a different type of proposition, a different type of team to play against, but I don't think it will be far away."