Australia v N Zealand: Teams

McCaw: Tougher

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Teams

• Australia
• New Zealand

Players

• Josevata Rokocoko
• Rocky Elsom

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  • Matt Giteau
  • Richie McCaw
  • Piri Weepu
  • Stephen Moore
  • Jimmy Cowan
  • Berrick Barnes
  • Saia Faingaa

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New Zealand skipper Richie McCaw expects Australia to prove tougher opponents than South Africa when they meet in Melbourne this weekend.

The All Blacks have looked almost unstoppable during their two dynamic bonus-point victories over the Springboks at home this month.

And an eighth straight win over the Wallabies on Saturday will see them all-but wrap up this year's Tri-Nations series. They currently lead the standings with 10 points and another victory make them almost untouchable.

New Zealand have made two changes ahead of the Bledisloe Cup showdown at Docklands Stadium, which is live on Sky Sports.

Scrum-half Jimmy Cowan has been brought in to replace Piri Weepu, who starts on the bench, while Joe Rokocoko returns for his 64th Test cap in place of Rene Ranger.

Challenge

But, following Australia's 30-13 victory over South Africa in Brisbane last weekend, McCaw expects the Wallabies to be fired up for the match.

"The Wallabies are going to be a different challenge and I think they're going to be a better challenge for us," he said.

"They're going to be a tougher opponent than what we've faced so far so we're going to have to be right on the job."

Australia have also made two changes to the starting XV that beat South Africa, with Berrick Barnes and Stephen Moore getting the nod.

Barnes, replacing the suspended Quade Cooper, will make his second start of the Test campaign at inside centre, while veteran hooker Moore comes in for Saia Faingaa, who starts on the bench.

Barnes will also be re-united with Mat Giteau who moves back to fly-half after starting his previous four Tests in the centres.

Vital

Australia skipper Rocky Elsom firmly believes minimalising the impact of McCaw will be crucial if Australia want to play an attacking, ball-in-hand game.

"We've got to be able to stop their influence at the breakdown," he said.

"And whether that be getting a pilfer off the ball or making sure their bodies don't spill over and lock it down, they're all things we've got to deal with.

"And if we want to play an attacking game, that's a big part of it.

"The All Blacks are the benchmark at the moment - you saw that in the first two Tests. That's probably as good as I've seen them play, in that first Test."

Australia: Cooper, O'Connor, Horne, Barnes, Mitchell, Giteau, Genia; Brown, Pocock, Elsom (capt), Sharpe, Mumm, Ma'afu, Moore, Robinson.

Replacements: S Faingaa, Slipper, Simmons, Hodgson, Burgess, A Faingaa, Beale.

New Zealand: Muliaina, Jane, Smith, Nonu, Rokocoko, Carter, Cowan, Read, McCaw (capt), Kaino, Donnelly, Thorn, Franks, Mealamu, Woodcock.

Replacements: Flynn, Franks, Whitelock, Vito, Weepu, Cruden, Dagg.