New Zealanders desperate to avoid third straight loss

RUGBY/New Zealand v Australia:THE ALL Blacks will be desperate to snap a two-game losing streak and keep their hopes of winning the Tri-Nations alive when they play Australia in Auckland tomorrow.

Since they were outplayed by the Australians in a 34-19 defeat in Sydney last weekend, the pressure has been mounting on head coach Graham Henry to prevent the All Blacks losing three games in a row for the first time in 10 years.

That victory gave Australian coach Robbie Deans, himself a New Zealander and one-time All Black fullback, a satisfying victory against his former homeland, but he is under no illusions about the rematch in what has become enemy territory.

"Everyone's entitled to their own stance, and I've had hostile welcomes there in the past," Deans said earlier this week. "It'll be what it is and I'm looking forward to it."

The Wallabies have not won at Eden Park since 1986.

Meanwhile, Henry, has admitted his side were "out-coached" last weekend, and that his coaching team struggled to get to grips with rugby's experimental law variations (ELVs).

"We have to have the right game plan and right execution," the coach said, after the All Blacks had tried to run the ball too often from their own half and were repeatedly turned over at the breakdown.

Henry has resisted making sweeping changes to the All Blacks, moving Richard Kahui from centre to right wing in place of Anthony Tuitavake and bringing in their iconic captain and number seven Richie McCaw after nearly a month off with an ankle injury.

Australia also welcome back their skipper Stirling Mortlock, who missed Sydney's match with a concussion, while Phil Waugh replaces the injured Rocky Elsom in the back row.

Ryan Cross, who filled in for Mortlock in the centre last weekend, is relegated to the bench, while Timana Tahu is dropped from the squad.

New Zealand said they will wait until early today to decide on the final make-up of their team; among other factors, their first-choice hooker, Andrew Hore, and halfbacks Andy Ellis and Jimmy Cowan, are scheduled to undergo fitness tests.

Scrumhalf Piri Weepu, who was dropped from the All Blacks' squad before last year's World Cup finals, has been brought back in as cover and has been bracketed with Ellis and Cowan.

The only other change sees Sione Lauaki dropped from the bench after an error-ridden second-half performance in Sydney.

Australia lead the Tri-Nations with two wins from two games.

New Zealand and South Africa are tied after both winning one game from three.

AUSTRALIA: A Ashley-Cooper; P Hynes, S Mortlock (capt), B Barnes, L Tuqiri; M Giteau, L Burgess; B Robinson, S Moore, A Baxter; J Horwill, N Sharpe; P Waugh, G Smith, W Palu. Replacements: T Polota-Nau, M Dunning, D Vickerman, H McMeniman, S Cordingley, R Cross, D Mitchell.

NEW ZEALAND: M Muliaina; R Kahui, C Smith, M Nonu, S Sivivatu; D Carter, J Cowan/Andy Ellis/Piri Weepu; T Woodcock, A Hore/K Mealamu, G Somerville; B Thorn, A Williams; R So'oialo, R McCaw (capt), J Kaino. Replacements: K Mealamu/A Hore, J Afoa, A Boric, D Braid/A Thomson, J Cowan/A Ellis/P Weepu, S Donald, C Smith.