High stakes as All Blacks, Wallabies meet in decider

After experimenting with combinations in six previous tests this season, Henry has named what he calls his strongest side for a match which will determine the outcome of the Tri-Nations series and the annual Bledisloe Cup contest between the trans-Tasman rivals.

In bestowing First XV status on what seems to be a developing combination, Henry has risked conceding a psychological advantage to Australia weeks out from the World Cup, accentuated if the Wallabies break an 11-year losing streak at Eden Park.

Australia is confident of winning after upsetting an off-key New Zealand team 20-15 in Melbourne two weeks ago. Nothing in the All Blacks' 33-6 win over South Africa last week suggested they will be more adept or more confident at Eden Park on Saturday.

"We're aware of the importance of this match and I'm sure New Zealand are too," Australia captain Stirling Mortlock said.

"There's a lot at stake - momentum going into the World Cup and the Tri-Nations, Bledisloe Cup titles," he said. "Our preparation's been great and we go over with high expectations."

Mortlock said most pressure on Saturday would fall on the All Blacks, who are already under scrutiny after a series of unconvincing test performances this season.

"You saw in their performance against the (Spring)Boks," he said. "On the scoreboard they won by a considerable margin, but there was a lot of heat put on by their local media.

"New Zealanders are used to seeing their team dominate. There is a fair bit of pressure on them to play well and to perform this weekend."

External pressures have been partly responsible for Henry's decision to name his strongest available team for Saturday's match.

Criticism has mounted over the All Blacks' rotational selection policies and even senior players, among them Aaron Mauger and Keven Mealamu who are both on the bench on Saturday, have said constant changes of personnel have contributed to the team's rustiness.

Few critics have found fault with the forward pack Henry named for Saturday's match. Anton Oliver will start ahead of Mealamu at hooker, giving the All Blacks scrummaging strength and Mealamu's ball-running for later impact.

Keith Robinson remains at lock as Ali Williams continues a slow comeback from a broken jaw.

The backline is more problematic.

All Blacks coaches Henry, Wayne Smith and Steve Hansen have retained faith in young centers Luke McAlister and Isaia Toeava, naming an unchanged midfield combination for the first time in 24 tests.

Both players are immensely talented, but in combination leave the All Blacks' with an inexperienced and potentially vulnerable midfield.

The Wallabies, led by center Mortlock, successfully targeted that area in the Melbourne test, running their decisive try through leaky defense.

McAlister is favored over Mauger as a linebreaker, but his breaks seldom lead to tries. Toeava, a lateral runner and poor passer, also fails to focus the backline.

Agencies

(China Daily 07/20/2007 page24)