NZ name unchanged team to face Australia

New Zealand coach Wayne Smith today named an unchanged team to face Australia in the Tri Nations rugby decider at Stadium Australia…

New Zealand coach Wayne Smith today named an unchanged team to face Australia in the Tri Nations rugby decider at Stadium Australia on Saturday.

He has recalled fullback Christian Cullen to take a place on the substitutes bench.

Cullen, who has played only two matches in the past three months, takes over from Doug Howlett among the replacements and is the only change to the 22-man squad from the 26-15 victory over South Africa in Auckland last Saturday.

Cullen has missed New Zealand's last six Tests after undergoing knee surgery. New Zealand lead the Tri Nations standings by one point from title holders Australia going into Saturday's match.

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New Zealand:Leon MacDonald; Jeff Wilson, Tana Umaga, Pita Alatini, Jonah Lomu; Andrew Mehrtens, Byron Kelleher; Ron Cribb, Taine Randell, Troy Flavell, Chris Jack, Norm Maxwell, Greg Somerville, Anton Oliver (captain), Carl Hoeft. Replacements: Mark Hammett, Carl Hayman, Mark Cooksley, Marty Holah, Justin Marshall, Tony Brown, Christian Cullen.