New Zealand v Australia, Tomorrow, 8.35 a.m. (Sky Sports 3)World champions Australia and World Cup favourites New Zealand stage their final dress rehearsal ahead of rugby union's showcase event in the last match of the Tri-Nations series tomorrow.
While the All Blacks have already won the Tri-Nations, after three successive victories, much is at stake in Auckland with the Bledisloe Cup still up for grabs, while a victory would give either side a psychological boost ahead of the World Cup.
"There is a lot at stake in this match and if we get the preparation right, we have a very good chance of winning," said New Zealand coach John Mitchell.
The All Blacks enter the match as heavy favourites after crushing Australia 50-21 in Sydney last month but are expecting a tougher encounter this time.
The Wallabies showed signs of improvement in beating South Africa 29-9 in Brisbane a fortnight ago, while the Springboks exposed some chinks in the All Blacks' armour in last week's 19-11 loss in Dunedin.
Mitchell rested some of his key forwards for the South Africa match but has a full-strength side this time, while the Wallabies will be without experienced prop Patricio Noriega.
Australia coach Eddie Jones told reporters on the team's arrival at Auckland Airport yesterday he was confident his side could stop the All Blacks.
"I think South Africa showed if you put pressure on certain parts of their game it's hard for them to get their structure," he said.
The main ingredient to New Zealand's success this season has been the electrifying pace of their backs, especially wingers Joe Rokocoko and Doug Howlett.
Rokocoko ran in a hat-trick of tries in Sydney but benefited from some poor tactical kicking from the Australians.
NEW ZEALAND: M Muliaina; D Howlett, T Umaga, A Mauger, J Rokocoko; C Spencer, J Marshall; D Hewett, K Mealamu, G Somerville, C Jack, A Williams, R Thorne (capt), R McCaw, J Collins. Replacements: M Hammett, K Meeuws, B Thorn, M Holah, S Devine, D Carter, L MacDonald.
AUSTRALIA: C Latham; W Sailor, M Rogers, E Flatley, L Tuqiri; S Larkham, G Gregan (capt); B Young, B Cannon, G Panoho, D Giffin, D Vickerman, G Smith, P Waugh, T Kefu. Replacements: J Paul, A Baxter, N Sharpe, O Finegan, C Whitaker, M Giteau, M Burke.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa).
Results to date
South Africa 26, Australia 22; South Africa 16, New Zealand 52; Australia 21, New Zealand 50; Australia 29, South Africa 9; New Zealand 19 South Africa 11.
How they stand
P W L BP F A Pts
New Zealand 3 3 0 0 2 121 48 14
Australia 3 1 0 2 1 83 104 5
South Africa 4 1 0 3 0 51 103 4
