New Zealand v Australia: Teams

Last updated: 31st July 2007

latham chris australia

Latham: Back on the bench

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Australia coach John Connolly has named Chris Latham as a replacement for Saturday's Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup decider in New Zealand.

Adam Ashley-Cooper switches from the wing to full-back after Connolly judged Latham, who has only just started playing again after a knee reconstruction, only ready to participate from the bench.

The vacancy at full-back arose after Julian Huxley sustained a thigh injury, and, with Ashley-Cooper wearing the No.15 jersey, Drew Mitchell starts on the wing.

Connolly makes two other changes - Stephen Moore is fit to replace Adam Freier at hooker, while No.8 David Lyons is preferred to Stephen Hoiles.

"Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations deciders are right up there alongside World Cup finals," Connolly said in a statement.

"Opportunities to play in Tests like this don't come around too often and Saturday night will be a very special occasion.

"For a number of our players it will be the biggest match of their career."

All Blacks

Byron Kelleher, Jerry Collins and Anton Oliver all return to New Zealand's starting XV after missing last week's 33-6 win against South Africa.

Kelleher comes in at scrum-half for Piri Weepu, Collins takes over from Reuben Thorne at blindside flanker and hooker Oliver is selected ahead of Keven Mealamu.

Winger Siteveni Sivivatu was not considered for selection due to a thigh injury.

"Our performance improved last week and we are after more improvement this week," Henry said in a statement.

"We are close to playing the type of rugby we want to play.

"The Bledisloe Cup and the Tri Nations championship are hugely important to New Zealand and we would like to claim those honours again."

Teams

New Zealand: 15 M Muliaina, 14 D Howlett, 13 I Toeava, 12 L McAlister, 11 J Rokocoko, 10 D Carter, 9 B Kelleher; 1 T Woodcock, 2 A Oliver, 3 C Hayman, 4 K Robinson, 5 C Jack, 6 J Collins, 7 R McCaw (capt), 8 R So'oialo

Replacements: K Mealamu, N Tialata, R Thorne, C Masoe, B Leonard, A Mauger, N Evans

Australia: 15 A Ashley-Cooper, 14 D Mitchell, 13 S Mortlock (capt), 12 M Giteau, 11 M Gerrard, 10 S Larkham, 9 G Gregan; 1 M Dunning, 2 S Moore, 3 G Shepherdson, 4 N Sharpe, 5 D Vickerman, 6 R Elsom, 7 G Smith, 8 D Lyons

Replacements: A Freier, A Baxter, H McMeniman, S Hoiles, P Waugh, S Staniforth, C Latham.