N Zealand v Australia: Teams

The All Blacks host trans-Tasmanian rivals Australia desperate to end a two-game losing streak and keep alive their hopes of winning the Tri-Nations in Auckland on Saturday.

After being outplayed by the Wallabies in their 34-19 defeat in Sydney last weekend, pressure is mounting on coach Graham Henry to prevent the All Blacks losing three games in a row for the first time in 10 years.

The victory gave New Zealand-born Australian coach Robbie Deans a satisfying victory against his former homeland, but he is under no illusions about the rematch in what has become enemy territory.

"Everyone's entitled to their own stance, and I've had hostile welcomes there in the past. It'll be what it is and I'm looking forward to it," Deans said

The Wallabies have not won at Eden Park since 1986. Meanwhile Henry has admitted his side was "out-coached" in Sydney and that his coaching team struggled to get to grips with rugby's experimental law variations (ELVs).

Henry has resisted making sweeping changes to the All Blacks, moving Richard Kahui from centre to right wing in place of Anthony Tuitavake and bringing in captain Richie McCaw after nearly a month off with an ankle injury.

Tahu dropped

Australia also welcome back their skipper Stirling Mortlock, who missed Sydney's match with a concussion, while Phil Waugh replaces the injured Rocky Elsom.

Ryan Cross, who filled in for Mortlock, is relegated to the bench while Timana Tahu is dropped from the squad.

New Zealand will wait until early on Friday before deciding on the final makeup of the team, with first choice hooker Andrew Hore and halfbacks Andy Ellis and Jimmy Cowan, scheduled to undergo fitness tests.

Piri Weepu, who was dropped from the All Blacks before last year's World Cup, has been brought into the squad as cover and has been bracketed with Ellis and Cowan.

The only other change sees Sione Lauaki dropped from the bench after an error-ridden second half performance in Sydney.

Australia lead the Tri-nations with two wins from two games, with New Zealand and South Africa tied after both winning one game from three.

New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Richard Kahui, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan/Piri Weepu/Andrew Ellis, 1 Tony Woodcock, 2 Andrew Hore/Keven Mealamu, 3 Greg Somerville, 4 Brad Thorn, 5 Ali Williams, 6 Jerome Kaino, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 8 Rodney So'oialo.
Replacements: Hore/Mealumu, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Adam Thomson/Daniel Braid, Cowan/Weepu/Ellis, Stephen Donald, Anthony Tuitavake.

Australia: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Stirling Mortlock (capt), 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 1 Benn Robinson, 2 Stephen Moore, 3 Al Baxter, 4 James Horwill, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 6 Phil Waugh, 7 George Smith, 8 Wycliff Palu.
Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Dan Vickerman, Hugh McMeniman, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell.