New Zealand vs Australia
Date: 22 August 2009, Saturday
Time: 10:05 GMT, 06:05 EDT, 2o:05 AEST
Venue: Olympic Stadium, Sydney
All the hype of a Bledisloe Cup match aside, Australia and New Zealand are playing for survival in the TriNations in Saturday's rugby union international at the former Olympic stadium.
The All Blacks have won 10 of the past 12 tests between the countries, and are the defending Bledisloe Cup and TriNations champions.
But they lost two in a row in South Africa after beating the Wallabies in Auckland to open the tournament.
Australia, meanwhile, also lost to the Springboks in South Africa on Aug. 8 and, with a single point from two matches, trail the leading Springboks by 10 points. South Africa's 12 points is eight ahead of New Zealand.
The Wallabies would almost certainly slide out of contention with another loss, while the All Blacks would find it difficult to come back after three straight losses to challenge South Africa's early dominance of the tournament.
The Wallabies have one thing in their favor - they've won three of the past four tests in Sydney, including a 34-19 victory over New Zealand last year in Kiwi Robbie Deans' first Bledisloe Cup match as coach of Australia.
All Blacks assistant coach Wayne Smith is wary, despite the All Blacks' 22-16 win over Australia at Auckland last month.
"They gave us a hiding here last year, that's all I know," Smith told New Zealand Press Association on Thursday.
"They've got 11 of those players fronting and they've got a big one (flanker Rocky Elsom) back.
"Sometimes the test has turned on a little thing. I wouldn't think it's psychological, it's just the way the games have gone.
"It's going to be another close one."If the All Blacks win, they'll retain the Bledisloe Cup with two matches to spare.
"It's a big game for us, there's no hiding from that," Smith said. "In terms of the Tri-Nations, one of us is going to be out.
"We talk about Bledisloe Cup too because it's a huge trophy for us but we think highly of the TriNations too. That's important to us and you don't want to give that up lightly."
Star flyhalf Daniel Carter will return for the All Blacks, his first test of the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon in January.
Carter has only played one club game and three matches for his Canterbury province leading into his 60th test appearance, and 14th against Australia.
Teams :
Australia: James O'Connor, Lachie Turner, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess; Richard Brown, George Smith (captain), Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson.
Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, Dean Mumm, David Pocock, Will Genia, Ryan Cross, Peter Hynes.
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Josevata Rokocoko, Conrad Smith, Luke McAlister, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.
Reserves: Aled de Malmanche, John Afoa, Jason Eaton, Rodney So'oialo, Brendon Leonard, Stephen Donald, Ma'a Nonu.
Watch Live On Sky Sports Xtra (10:30-13:00)
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