All Blacks and Wallabies name teams

New Zealand and Australia named their teams to contest the third Tri Nations (and Bledisloe Cup) test in Melbourne on Saturday. The game will be broadcast on Supersport at 11.05 am SA time.

For the All Blacks, Leon MacDonald replaces the injured Isaia Toeava in the starting lineup, Mils Muliaina moves from fullback to outside centre, Luke McAlister comes in for Aaron Mauger at inside centre, Chris Jack is back in the team after returning from paternity leave and Rico Gear replaces Sitiveni Sivivatu on the wing.

“We have selected our best team.  It’s not the same team as last week, but it’s our best. The Bledisloe Cup means a lot to the team and to New Zealanders. The first two matches of the Vodacom Tri Nations have been hard fought and we expect the same against Australia on Saturday,” said All Blacks coach Graham Henry.

All Blacks Team:
Changes in italics

01  Tony Woodcock
02  Anton Oliver
03  Carl Hayman
04  Chris Jack
05  Troy Flavell
06  Jerry Collins
07  Richie McCaw (Captain)
08  Rodney So’oialo
09  Byron Kelleher
10  Daniel Carter
11  Joe Rokocoko
12  Luke McAlister
13  Mils Muliaina
14  Rico Gear
15  Leon MacDonald

16  Keven Mealamu
17  Neemia Tialata
18  Ross Filipo
19  Chris Masoe
20  Piri Weepu
21  Aaron Mauger
22  Nick Evans 
 
The Wallabies have made only one change to the side that lost narrowly to South Africa in the opening game of the Tri Nations. Adam Ashley-Cooper wins a place on the wing.

“New Zealand’s strength is in their depth. We saw the impact their (reserves) bench made against South Africa last week and they are just so strong from (jersey) 1 to 22. To beat them we will need to play our best rugby and do the little things well. You can’t afford to give the All Blacks any opportunities because they have incredible talent across the field and have the ability to hurt you from any position,” said Wallaby coach Knuckles Connolly

“It will be a tremendous occasion for the players and a great spectacle for the fans. I think the fans will see a typically tough Test between Australia and New Zealand. Bledisloe Cups are battles first and foremost. It will be a great event and New Zealand as always will be up for the occasion and so will we.”

Wallaby Team:
Changes in italics

01  Matt Dunning
02  Stephen Moore
03  Guy Shepherdson
04  Nathan Sharpe
05  Daniel Vickerman
06  Rocky Elsom
07  George Smith
08  Wycliff Palu
09  George Gregan
10  Stephen Larkham
11  Lote Tuqiri
12  Matt Giteau
13  Stirling Mortlock
14  Adam Ashley-Cooper
15  Julian Huxley

16  Adam Freier
17  Al Baxter
18  Mark Chisholm
19  Stephen Hoiles
20  Phil Waugh
21  Scott Staniforth
22  Mark Gerrard