N Zealand v Australia: Teams

New Zealand could seal the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup on Saturday if they maintain their winning streak against Australia in Christchurch.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans returns to his home town as Australia coach for the first time, and his side will run out at Lancaster Park in front of the newly named 'Deans Stand' at the ground.

Deans led the Crusaders to five Super Rugby titles, but this time he leads the opposition and is under severe pressure to avoid a ninth straight defeat against the All Blacks following last week's 49-28 defeat in Melbourne.

Deans is under no illusion about the pressure he is under, but insists his side will be a force in next year's World Cup in New Zealand - even if he is not still in charge.

"I can tell you that in 14 months, they'll be there (peaking)," said Deans. "Whether I'm there or not is other people's decisions, it doesn't matter. I'm tasked with getting this group into the optimum state at that point."

Huge task

The Wallabies face a huge task though as the All Blacks have been rampant this year, with three emphatic wins in the Tri-Nations already and a fourth with a bonus point would seal their fifth title in six years.

Graham Henry's men have employed an all-action style to match new rules in the tackle area, and it has proven too hot for both world champions South Africa and Australia to live with.

Yellow cards have been an issue in the Tri-Nations so far with every match seeing the sin-bin used, and Wallabies winger Drew Mitchell was sent off last week after picking up two yellow cards.

One of those cards was subsequently seen to be unwarranted, and assistant referee Cobus Wessels been demoted to video official as a result, and Deans hopes that yellow cards will not be such an influence on Saturday's game.

"In the Tri-Nations to date that's an area that's had a significant impact on the competition," Deans said. "So I guess there people in places who look at that and say 'is this really what we want the public to see a contest of 15 on 14?'.

Risk

"But from our perspective the laws are what they are, it's important we don't get on the wrong side of those and leave ourselves vulnerable and compromised to risk."

Henry has made just one change for Saturday, with Piri Weepu replacing Jimmy Cowan at scrum-half, while the Wallabies have made three changes after waiting until Thursday to name their team.

Rob Horne is injured forcing Deans to move Adam Ashley-Cooper from full-back to outside centre while Kurtley Beale comes in to take the number 15 jersey.

Newcomer Anthony Faigaa is given a chance in midfield with his twin brother Saia playing at hooker - and they replace Berrick Barnes and Stephen Moore who drop down to the bench.

New Zealand: 15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Joe Rokocoko, 10 Dan Carter, 9 Piri Weepu; 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Corey Flynn, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Sam Whitelock, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Alby Mathewson, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Benson Stanley.

Australia: 15 Kurtley Beale, 14 James O'Connor, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Anthony Faigaa, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia; 8 Richard Brown, 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom (captain), 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Dean Mumm, 3 Salesi Ma'afu, 2 Saia Faingaa, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 James Slipper, 18 Rob Simmons, 19 Matt Hodgson, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Berrick Barnes, 22 Cameron Shepherd.