NZ v Australia: Teams

New Zealand coach Graham Henry has named a strong-looking team for Saturday's final Bledisloe Cup match of the year against Australia in Tokyo.

Henry has stuck with the bulk of the side that thrashed the Wallabies 33-6 last month, with just three changes being made to the side that triumphed in Wellington.

The only change to the pack sees Rodney So'oialo return to the number eight spot with Kieran Read dropping to the bench.

In the backs, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Conrad Smith have returned from injury to take their respective positions on the left wing and centre.

Smith comes in for the injured Isaia Toeava (pelvis), while Sivivatu replaces the axed Joe Rokocoko.

Corey Flynn returns as the replacement hooker and utility back Tamati Ellison will make his All Blacks debut if he takes to the field at Tokyo's National Stadium.

New Zealand have won all three Bledisloe Cup matches so far this year - their record now extending to six on the trot.

Intensity

The match will be the first-ever Bledisloe Cup contest in Japan but Henry predicted it would be business as usual between the rivals.

"Both sides will be looking to kick off their respective tours with a strong performance so, as always, we are expecting there to be a lot of intensity and a real edge to this Test," he said.

Coach Robbie Deans has made four changes for the match, with wingers Digby Ioane and Peter Hynes, centre Ryan Cross and number eight Wycliff Palu all called into the starting XV.

However Deans will be without Berrick Barnes, who injured himself in training.

Cross will partner Adam Ashley-Cooper in the centres, with James O'Connor, who was originally due to start the match on the bench, starting at full-back.

Quade Cooper is called in to offer cover to the backs from the bench.

New Zealand: 15-Mils Muliaina; 14-Cory Jane, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 11-Sitiveni Sivivatu; 10-Daniel Carter, 9-Jimmy Cowan; 1-Tony Woodcock, 2-Andrew Hore, 3-Neemia Tialata, 4-Brad Thorn, 5-Tom Donnelly, 6-Adam Thomson, 7-Richie McCaw (capt), 8-Rodney So'oialo.
Replacements: Corey Flynn, John Afoa, Jason Eaton, Kieran Read, Brendon Leonard, Stephen Donald, Tamati Ellison.

Australia: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Ryan Cross, 12 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 James Horwill, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 George Smith, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Drew Mitchell, 22 Quade Cooper.