Should the New Zealand All Blacks beat the Wallabies in their Tri Nations encounter on Saturday night in Sydney they will once again be ranked the number one team in the world. This though will not be their motivating factor when they run out onto the turf at ANZ stadium.

This New Zealand team is still a formidable unit however there are cracks in the armour and one or two selection issues that give the Wallabies more than a fighting chance of victory.

Again, as it was last weekend the Test will be won in the backrow a position of strength for Australia. Daniel Braid is a fine player, George Smith is better. Palu and Elsom compliment the skills of Smith and this for us will be the main difference in the two teams.

The Australian lineout is a competitive one, a set piece that the All Blacks would not rate as their finest.

The most interesting battles of the night will be at Outside half where Matt Giteau will meet Dan Carter, two of the best in the game. For once Giteau should enjoy parity in the possession stakes and will provide Carter will a real headache. carter though is a magnificent reader of the game. His tactical ability will be fully stretched with his outside backs not looking quite as dominant as in previous seasons.

Outside centre sees Ryan Cross take on suprise selection Richard Kahui, two inexperienced players in a high pressure environment. Both players are try scorers with solid defensive games. whoever wins this battle may go a long way to signalling the winning team.

New Zealand will be smarting from their loss to the Sprinboks and will be hell bent on revenge. However, we see the Australian backrow being too strong and quick for their opponents and this will take the Wallabies to a comfortable victory.

The Wallabies side:

15. Adam Ashley-Cooper    
14. Peter Hynes    
13. Ryan Cross                      
12. Berrick Barnes              
11. Lote Tuqiri                     
10. Matt Giteau                    
9. Luke Burgess                  
8. Wycliff Palu        
7. George Smith            
6. Rocky Elsom          
5. Nathan Sharpe        
4. James Horwill       
3. Al Baxter       
2. Stephen Moore  
1. Benn Robinson  

Reserves:

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau      
17. Matt Dunning   
18. Daniel Vickerman   
19. Phil Waugh           
20. Sam Cordingley          
21. Timana Tahu           
22. Drew Mitchell     

The All Blacks side:

1. Tony Woodcock
2. Andrew Hore
3. Greg Somerville
4. Brad Thorn
5. Ali Willliams
6. Rodney So’oialo
7. Daniel Braid
8. Jerome Kaino
9. Andy Ellis
10. Dan Carter
11. Sitiveni Sivivatu
12. Ma’a Nonu
13. Richard Kahui
14. Anthony Tuitavake
15. Mils Muliaina

Reserves:

16. Keven Mealamu
17. John Afoa
18. Anthony Boric
19. Sione Lauaki
20. Jimmy Cowan
21. Stephen Donald
22. Conrad Smith

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