McCaw returns as All Blacks seek revenge

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw is again named in the New Zealand starting line-up as the All Blacks seek to overturn the Tri-Nations defeat at the hands of Australia in this weekend's return match.

McCaw, who injured his ankle against England last month, returns to the side which lost 34-19 to the Wallabies on Saturday. He was initially named in the side for the Sydney match but dropped out having failed to prove his fitness.

The selectors have named three scrumhalves, bringing in Piri Weepu as cover for injury concerns Andy Ellis and Jimmy Cowan, who both sustained knocks in Sydney.

Leon MacDonald was named at fullback with Mils Muliaina shifting to the wing in place of Anthony Tuitivake. Conrad Smith replaced Richard Kahui at centre.

Andrew Hore and Keven Mealamu were both named at hooker and replacement loose forward Sione Lauaki has been dropped following his error-ridden performance against the Wallabies

"We've made some tactical changes in our selections," New Zealand coach Graham Henry said. "But we also need to change how we play. Clearly there are areas we need to improve on from Sydney. We have to have the right game plan and execution."

A decision on the fitness of Hore, Ellis and Cowan will be made on Thursday.

Unbeaten Australia have recalled captain Stirling Mortlock and experienced flanker Phil Waugh to their side.

Mortlock has recovered from concussion and will replace Ryan Cross at outside centre with Waugh coming in for the injured Rocky Elsom.

Waugh's selection means the Wallabies will field two openside flankers for the first time under Robbie Deans, with the coach resisting the urge to replace Elsom with a similar player in Hugh McMeniman.

"They're two quality players," New Zealander Deans told reporters of Waugh and George Smith. "It's good to get both of them on the ground."

Cross will start on the replacements' bench instead of Timana Tahu, who made his Wallabies debut in last Saturday's 34-19 win over the All Blacks in Sydney.

New Zealand: 15-Leon MacDonald, 14-Mils Muliaina, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 11-Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10-Dan Carter, 9-Jimmy Cowan / Piri Weepu / Andrew Ellis. 8 Rodney So'oialo, 7-Richie McCaw (captain), 6-Jerome Kaino, 5-Ali Williams, 4-Brad Thorn, 3-Greg Somerville, 2-Andrew Hore/Keven Mealamu, 1-Tony Woodcock. Replacements: Hore or Mealumu, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Adam Thomson or Daniel Braid, Cowan or Weepu or Ellis, Stephen Donald, Richard Kahui

Australia: 15-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14-Peter Hynes, 13-Stirling Mortlock (captain), 12-Berrick Barnes, 11-Lote Tuqiri, 10-Matt Giteau, 9-Luke Burgess, 8-Wycliff Palu, 7-George Smith, 6-Phil Waugh, 5-Nathan Sharpe, 4-James Horwill, 3-Al Baxter, 2-Stephen Moore, 1-Benn Robinson. Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Dan Vickerman, Hugh McMeniman, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell.