All Blacks coach Graham Henry and his assistant coaches Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen have announced the team to play Australia in Auckland on Saturday August 2 at Eden Park:

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Andrew Hore/Keven Mealamu
3. Greg Somerville
4. Brad Thorn
5. Ali Willliams
6. Jerome Kaino
7. Richie McCaw (c)
8. Rodney So’oialo
9. Jimmy Cowan/ Piri Weepu/ Andy Ellis
10. Dan Carter
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Conrad Smith
14. Mils Muliaina
15. Leon MacDonald

Reserves:

16. Andrew Hore/ Keven Mealamu
17. John Afoa
18. Anthony Boric
19. Adam Thomson/Daniel Braid
20. Jimmy Cowan/ Piri Weepu/ Andy Ellis
21. Stephen Donald
22. Richard Kahui

Decisions at hooker and halfback are expected on Thursday as injuries to Andrew Hore (hip pointer), Andy Ellis (ribs) and Jimmy Cowan (knee) are monitored.

Meanwhile centre Conrad Smith returns to the starting line up and Mils Muliaina moves to the wing to accommodate Leon MacDonald at fullback:  “We’ve made some tactical changes in our selections,” said All Blacks coach Graham Henry, “but we also need to change how we play.  Clearly there are areas we need to improve on from Sydney.  We have to have the right game plan and execution.”

Captain Richie McCaw returns to the side exactly six weeks since he suffered a high ankle sprain against England in Christchurch.

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