Umaga fit to lead as All Blacks regroup

New Zealand captain Tana Umaga passed a late fitness test allowing him to lead the All Blacks in today's key Tri-Nations match against Australia.

Umaga was a doubt after twisting an ankle in last weekend's loss to South Africa but was cleared to play after training with the team at the Olympic Stadium yesterday.

"I always thought it would be okay but the medical staff have done a great job to make sure of it," the centre said.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry said Umaga's availability had provided the All Blacks with a major boost in the wake of their unexpected loss to the Springboks last week.

"He's the captain of the side and he leads by example, there's a huge respect for him and he gives them confidence," Henry said.

"You don't like losing at any stage but I think it made us sit back on our haunches and see where we are at. I think it was a good process to go through although you don't want to go through it too often."

The Australians, heavily criticised at home after twice losing in South Africa, said Umaga's inclusion would not prompt them to alter their game plan.

"We prepared in anticipation of him being passed fit so it's not a surprise to us at all," Wallabies skipper George Gregan said.

"He's an amazing player and well respected, not just in New Zealand but right throughout the world, but it doesn't change what we're trying to do.

"This is a big match for us and we're just concentrating on what we have to do."

Both teams have been forced to reshuffle their line-ups because of the high casualty toll from the South African leg of the annual triangular series, which has left both teams needing to win to stay in contention.

The All Blacks have lost their combative scrumhalf Byron Kelleher while the Australians have lost four key players, forcing them to pick a relatively inexperienced back line.

The changes to the Australian team and the availability of Umaga seem to have tipped the scales in New Zealand's favour but the visitors are taking nothing for granted.

The Wallabies defied a similarly gloomy scenario to beat New Zealand in the 2003 World Cup semi-finals and then upset them again in last year's corresponding Tri-Nations match.

"Of course there's a bit of anxiety," Umaga said. "We know what happened before. That's what losing does to you, it makes you focus more on your own game."

AUSTRALIA: Mitchell; Gerrard, Mortlock, Turinui, Tuqiri; Giteau, Gregan (capt); Lyons, Smith, Roe, Sharpe, Vickerman; Baxter, Paul, Young. Replacements: Cannon, Dunning, Chisholm, Waugh, Whitaker, Flatley, Rathbone.

NEW ZEALAND: Muliaina; Gear, Umaga (capt); Mauger, Rokocoko; Carter, Weepu; So'oialo, McCaw, Collins, Williams, Jack; Hayman, Mealamu, Woodcock. Replacements: Witcombe, Somerville, Ryan, Holah, Senio, McAlister, MacDonald.

Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England).