Australia, humiliated by the marauding Kiwis here in Melbourne last year, are confident they are on track for a spectacular turnaround in fortunes in the Trinations clash tomorrow.

Under coach Rod Macqueen they go into the first game fortified by prolific wins over England and Scotland - and they will field an unchanged team for the fourth match running.

Writing the All Blacks off is an act of folly, but the retirement of three key players - forwards Sean Fitzpatrick and Zinzan Brooke and centre Frank Bunce - together with the loss of form by powerhouse winger Jonah Lomu has given them an air of vulnerability.