Australia v NZ: Teams

Australia full-back Kurtley Beale has lost his battle to be fit for the Rugby World Cup semi-final against New Zealand.

Beale has been dogged by hamstring problem throughout the tournament but he was initially named in the Wallabies line-up for the clash.

However the 22-year-old was withdrawn prior to Saturday's captain's run at North Harbour Stadium.

That means coach Robbie Deans has had to reshuffle his backline, with Adam Ashley-Cooper switching to full-back and Anthony Fainga'a promoted from the bench to wear the No.13 jersey. Fainga'a's place among the replacements iis taken by Rob Horne.

"It's disappointing but is an outcome we'd catered for through our preparation this week," Deans said.

"We always anticipated it would be unlikely that Kurtley would be ready, but we wanted to give him every opportunity to make it. Unfortunately time has run out.

"It was important for the clarity of the preparation, both for the team and for Kurtley, that we made the decision today."

Troubled

New Zealand have had their own injury worries in the build up to the Trans-Tasman tussle - however Richie McCaw has been passed fit.

The talismanic skipper has been troubled with an on-going foot problem, hampering his involvement in training.

McCaw, though, has been given the green light to play - with the Crusaders flanker set to lead a side that has three changes from the win over Argentina.

All three come in the back division, with Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg and Richard Kahui all starting.

The loss of Dan Carter and Colin Slade means Cruden starts at fly-half, while Israel Dagg comes in for the injured Mils Muliaina at full-back.

Kahui is preferred on the wing to Sonny Bill Williams, who drops to the bench where he is joined by Stephen Donald.

New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Richard Kahui, 10 Aaron Cruden, 9 Piri Weepu, 1 Tony Woodcock, 2 Keven Mealamu, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Sam Whitelock, 5 Brad Thorn, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 8 Kieran Reed.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Ali Williams, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Andy Ellis, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Sonny Bill Williams

Australia: 15 Adam Ashley Cooper, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Anthony Fainga'a, 12 Pat McCabe, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Radike Samo, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 James Horwill (capt), 4 Dan Vickerman, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Sekope Kepu.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Ben McCalman, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Rob Horne.