Australia travel back home for the final fixture of the 2010 Tri-Nations. The game won't affect the placings but both teams will be hoping for a win. The All Blacks have a 9 match winning streak over the Wallabies and to keep this streak alive they'll have to win it with out Dan Carter. Despite getting a narrow victory over the Springboks last weekend it has been another disappointing Tri-Nations for the Wallabies, the more they lose the more pressure on Robbie Deans keeping his coaching position.

The game will be played in Sydney at ANZ Stadium, 7:30 AEST. (9:30 NZT)


WALLABIES
TBA

ALL BLACKS
1. Tony Woodcock 2. Keven Mealamu 3. Owen Franks 4. Brad Thorn 5. Tom Donnelly 6. Victor Vito 7. Richie McCaw – captain 8. Kieran Read 9. Piri Weepu 10. Aaron Cruden 11. Israel Dagg 12. Ma’a Nonu 13. Conrad Smith 14. Cory Jane 15. Mils Muliaina

Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn 17. John Afoa 18. Anthony Boric 19. Jerome Kaino 20. Jimmy Cowan 21. Colin Slade 22. Rene Ranger

Plenty of changes to the All Blacks that played against the Boks 3 weeks ago. Firstly Aaron Cruden comes in for the injured Dan Carter and Colin Slade moves on to the bench, if Slade is to get a run it will his test debut for the ABs. Israel Dagg gets his first start of the Tri-Nations in replace of Joe Rok on the wing. Piri Weepu starts ahead of Jimmy Cowan at halfback. Owen Franks comes in to replace brother Ben and finally Victor Vito will start at 6 ahead of Jerome Kaino.

Predicted ABs lineup: Woodcock, Flynn, O. Franks, Thorn, Donnelly, Vito, McCaw, Read, Weepu, Cruden, Dagg, Nonu, Smith, Jane, Muliaina. RESERVES: Mealamu/??, B. Franks/Afoa, Whitelock, Kaino/Messam, Cowan, Slade, Rokocoko/Stanley

Mealamu is nursing a tight calf so Flynn would well start, if Mealamu isn't fit to back-up then IMO they'll have Afoa back up at hooker. Vito, Cruden and Dagg have all but been confirmed starting spots which is fair enough IMO - Whitelock MIGHT get a start too but I don't see them benching Thorn or Donnelly so he'll probably have to make do with what I expect to be a decent run early in the 2nd half. I expect Kaino to stay on the bench rather than Messam and probably Roks will still be on the bench but it could possibly be Stanley.

ABs 1-12 for me.
I think the Wallabies will be knackered after travelling back from SA this week and with the nature of the game on the weekend.

It will be close til the last 10 or so minutes and the Kiwis will pull away I think.

Hope im wrong though .

Also, whats the Cruden like as a player? A bit like Quade or something completely different? Didnt see much of him last S14 season but what I did he seemed pretty solid.

He's a strong running 1st 5 but very young and VERY raw - similar to Cooper last year maybe?

All Blacks team named and in first post.

Plenty of changes to the side.

Can't wait to see Israel Dagg get a start, I love the look of that back 3.

P'Rus was pretty much spot on with his starting line prediction, just Mealamu is fit to play and will start.

Yeah - pretty much as expected - little surprised they pulled Ranger in, but very deserved after he shredded the Southlanders on the weekend.

Aus 13+ on the back of the great news that Quade has signed for another year. Hopefully it's a free flowing game. Look forward to seeing Lachie Turner, apparently he's been tearing up in the reserves and should never have been dropped in the first place imo.

I can see us going down tonight. I'm still not convinced on Cruden, and i'm not sure whether he is the best guy to be backing up Dan heading into the World Cup.

Australia's Prides on the line tonught and you guys know it and will be ready but this will be a Kamikaze Wallabies side tonight (rare as rocking horse shit too the Wallabies Firing up )

I think we'll get the win. We've looked very comfortable in the 2 wins previous wins over Australia, obviously we'll miss DC but I am confident in Cruden, so confident I'm going to put some money on him for first try.

NZ TAB has us as strong favourites Head to Head

Australia 2.90
New Zealand 1.38

I'm going on the theory that this isn't the best kiwi side available (changes?) ....and sheer hope........... but even if i've only ever played 2 union games and was shit if they do their best ill cheer but sometimes these Bies seem to not try as if saving themselves for god knows what. they play bugger all games and i'll bag em ...i have issues with anything less than 110% as yoda says there is do or do not (or some shit)

Geez and i was bagging Leb schooling....

LETS GO BOYS!

Hopefully Cruden has a solid game! Haka time!

Its happening again. 40 seconds to go, weve got the lineout 60 metres out.

COME ON WALLABIES!

Won't be surprised to lose to them again.

F*** me.

Lol same old shit from the Wallabies in the second half. Didn't see much of the game but we looked pretty impressive from what I saw. Shattering result, but I'm not surprised.

AB's - congrats on retaining the Bledisloe and regaining the Tri-Nations... just way too good yet again. We will get you guys when it counts the most in the WC next year.