RUGBY: New Zealand have reverted to the side which beat Australia in the first leg of the Bledisloe Cup in Sydney last month for Saturday's second leg in Auckland.
Four changes were announced to the All Blacks team which overcame South Africa 19-11 to clinch the Tri-nations championship in Dunedin last week.
Back in the side for the final match of the Tri-nations are openside flanker Richie McCaw, prop Dave Hewett, lock Chris Jack and hooker Keven Mealamu. Marty Holah, Kees Meeuws, Brad Thorn and Mark Hammett drop down to the bench.
Coach John Mitchell said the players who took part in the 50-21 victory in Sydney should not look upon selection as a reward for that win.
"We are not so much rewarding the guys who played in Sydney, but we believe this is the right 22 to play against Australia and combat their style," Mitchell said. "There is a lot at stake in this match, and if we get the preparation right we have a very good chance of winning."
Mitchell said Australia would have gained plenty of knowledge from New Zealand's win over South Africa.
"They will look to exploit weaknesses and I have a fair idea where they'll attempt that," he said. "But I'm not telling you."
Scrumhalf Byron Kelleher, who sat on the bench in Dunedin, has been dropped from the 22, with Steve Devine chosen to back up first choice Justin Marshall.
Mitchell said all specialist positions, particularly scrumhalf and hooker, may call for three players in the squad for the World Cup, which starts in October.
New Zealand are hoping to win the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 1997.
Australia prop Patricio Noriega was ruled out of Saturday's match. Noriega has been in doubt for the game since he strained his groin during the win over South Africa early this month.
Glenn Panoho, who is still nursing a minor leg injury but is expected to play, was named as Noriega's replacement in the only change to the side which beat the Springboks 29-9. Uncapped front rower Alastair Baxter was included on the replacements bench.
"Al's a very good, athletic prop who has a very high work rate and I'm sure he'll handle the step up," Australia coach Eddie Jones said in a statement.
Wallabies vice-captain Toutai Kefu was included in the side but remains doubtful after straining a calf muscle in training.
Jones said Kefu would be given until match day to prove his fitness, but David Lyons had been placed on standby and would fly to Auckland with the team today.
NEW ZEALAND: Muliaina; Howlett, Umaga, Mauger, Rokocoko; Spencer, Marshall; Hewett, Mealamu, Somerville, Jack, Williams, Thorne, McCaw, Collins. Replacements: Hammett, Meeuws, Thorn, Holah, Devine, Carter, MacDonald.
AUSTRALIA: Latham; Sailor, Rogers, Flatley, Tuqiri; Larkham, Gregan; Young, Cannon, Panoho, Giffin, Vickerman, Smith, Waugh, Kefu. Replacements: Paul, Baxter, Sharpe, Finegan, Whitaker, Giteau, Burke
