Waratahs team-mates Tatafu Polota-Nau and Lachie Turner have recovered from rib injuries and are set to face New Zealand in the final Tri Nations match in Wellington on Saturday.
The pair both suffered rib injuries during the 21-6 win over South Africa. But following treatment both players are set to play in Wellington, allowing coach Robbie Deans to name an unchanged team.
Deans has named utility back Kurtley Beale to travel as cover.
“At this stage, we feel Lachie will be right, but we’re taking Kurtley along with us just in case,” said Deans. “As well as being precautionary, it is good experience for Kurtley being with the squad through the entire Test preparation.”
Deans saw his side triumph in Brisbane for their first win of the campaign and has chosen to go with the same line-up.
He said: “We stepped up to a new level, in terms of our performance, last time and that was pleasing.
“But life goes on. We can’t live in that moment and rest our laurels on it. History, both in terms of Australia’s overall record in New Zealand, and our recent experience there, shows how difficult this weekend’s assignment will be.
“That’s not a negative: it’s a great opportunity for us. It is important that we kick on and build on what was achieved during our match against South Africa.”
A win for Australia would mean they do not finish bottom of the table, although New Zealand have already won the Bledisloe Cup and South Africa the Tri Nations title.
Australia: J O'Connor; L Turner, A Ashley-Cooper, B Barnes, D Mitchell; M Giteau, W Genia; G Smith (c), D Pocock, R Elsom, M Chisholm, J Horwill, B Alexander, T Polota-Nau, B Robinson. Replacements: S Moore, P Cowan, D Mumm, W Palu, L Burgess, Q Cooper, P Hynes.
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