NEW ZEALAND RUGBY

By Duane Heard

Wednesday, June 27, 2007

All Blacks team announced - Muliaina moves to 13.


Australia have made one change for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup match against New Zealand, with Adam Ashley-Cooper replacing Drew Mitchell on the wing.

New Zealand have recalled second row Chris Jack after paternity leave.

There are three changes in the backs as Sitiveni Sivivatu and Isaia Toeva are injured, while Aaron Mauger is benched.

Leon McDonald is in at full-back for Mils Muliaina, who replaces Toeava in the centre, Rico Gear replaces Sivivatu and Luke McAlister is in for Mauger.

Australia have not beaten New Zealand since 2004 and have not held the Bledisloe Cup - the regular series between the two countries - since 2002.

In addition to bringing in Ashley-Cooper, who has started four Tests this season in the centre, they have also brought backs Scott Staniforth and Mark Gerrard onto the bench.

George Smith retains his place at open-side flanker at the expense of Wallabies co-captain Phil Waugh.

New Zealand captain Graham Henry says he has picked his strongest available team.

"The Bledisloe Cup means a lot to the team and to New Zealanders," he said. "We have selected our best team. It's not the same team as last week, but it's our best."

Saturday's match will be Australia's first at the Melbourne Cricket Ground since 1998, when the Wallabies beat New Zealand 24-16.

Australia:
Huxley; Ashley-Cooper, Mortlock (capt), Giteau, Tuqiri; Larkham, Gregan; Dunning, Moore, Shepherdson, Sharpe, Vickerman, Elsom, Smith, Palu.
Replacements:
Freier, Baxter, Chisholm, Hoiles, Waugh, Staniforth, Gerrard.

New Zealand:
MacDonald; Gear, Muliaina, McAlister, Rokocoko; Carter, Kelleher; Woodcock, Oliver, Hayman, Jack, Flavell, Collins, McCaw, So'oialo.
Replacements:
Mealamu, Tialata, Filipo, Masoe, Weepu, Mauger, Evans.

TRI NATIONS TABLE:

23 June 2007
Team------------P W D L F A BP PTS
1 S Africa--------2 1 0 1 43 45 1 5
2 New Zealand 1 1 0 0 26 21 0 4
3 Australia------1 0 0 1 19 22 1 1

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