Resurgent All Blacks look to settle old scores with biggest rivals

RUGBY/Tri-Nations: All World Cup thoughts have been pushed to one side this week as New Zealand attempt to settle a more pressing score in Sydney tomorrow.

The All Blacks meet Australia this Saturday needing to win both their home and away matches in the Tri-Nations championship to regain the Bledisloe Cup, held by the Wallabies since 1998.

"This is a very important Test match for both countries. Bledisloe encounters are very special occasions," said New Zealand coach John Mitchell. "Every Test match is important but even more so this one."

With the trans-Tasman rivals projected to meet at the same venue in the World Cup semi-finals on November 15th, tomorrow's winners will inevitably claim a psychological edge. Neither side, though, is looking any further ahead than this weekend.

"We've come here to succeed and it's very important to us that we get a result this weekend," said All Blacks coaching director Robbie Deans. "We don't bring any baggage with us, this opportunity stands alone."

Australia coach Eddie Jones insisted: "It's a game in itself. You don't get bigger rugby contests for us. It's a traditional contest, there are traditional rivalries in place."

The All Blacks go into the match as heavy favourites after demolishing South Africa 52-16 in Pretoria last weekend.

They began the season with a narrow loss toSix Nations champions England but have been steadily improving ever since.

They also have a more settled team and have made just one change from the side that crushed the Springboks with Justin Marshall returning from injury to replace Steve Devine at scrumhalf.

The Wallabies, on the other hand, are still experimenting with their line-up after a crippling injury toll and indifferent form.

After opening their new campaign with encouraging wins over both Ireland and Wales, they have slumped to back-to-back losses against England and South Africa.

Injuries have prevented them from fielding their best team, but outhalf Stephen Larkham and flanker George Smith have been cleared to play this weekend.

The Wallabies have signalled their intentions to play an all-out attacking game, naming their three former rugby league international players, Wendell Sailor, Lote Tuqiri and Mat Rogers, in the starting team for the first time.

They have also gambled on playing two specialist openside flankers in Smith and Phil Waugh, suggesting they plan to play the game out wide.

"We feel we picked the best players that are available at the moment in their positions," Jones said. "The game goes in cycles and at the moment we need mobility."

AUSTRALIA: Burke; Sailor, Rogers, Flatley, Tuqiri; Larkham, Gregan (capt); Kefu, Waugh, Smith, Vickerman, Giffin; Noriega, Cannon, Young. Replacements: Freier, Darwin, Sharpe, Finegan,Whitaker, Kefu, Latham.

NEW ZEALAND: Muliaina; Howlett, Umaga, Mauger, Rokocoko; Spencer, Marshall; Collins, McCaw, Thorne (capt), Williams, Jack; Somerville, Mealamu, Hewett. Replacements: Hammett, Meeuws, Thorn, Holah, Devine, Carter, Ralph.

Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England)