Bledisloe Cup: New Zealand have made four changes to their starting team for Saturday's Tri-Nations match against Australia in Melbourne.

Lock Chris Jack returns to the side for Greg Rawlinson after missing last week's 26-21 win over South Africa in Durban because his wife was due to give birth while coach Graham Henry reshuffled the backline.

Fullback Leon MacDonald, wing Rico Gear and centre Luke McAlister all come into the team while wing Sitiveni Sivivatu and centres Isaia Toeava and Aaron Mauger were all left out.

Sivivatu and Toeava were both ruled out with minor injuries while Mauger was relegated to the reserves bench after an indifferent display against the Springboks.

Henry also added Otago flyhalf Nick Evans to the substitutes bench after MacDonald and McAlister were promoted to the starting line-up.

"The Bledisloe Cup means a lot to the team and to New Zealanders and we have selected our best team," Henry said.    "It's not the same team as last week, but it's our best. The first two matches of the Tri-Nations have been hard fought and we expect the same against Australia on Saturday."

Adam Ashley-Cooper comes into the Wallabies side on the wing in the only change to John Connolly's side.  Ashley-Cooper has already played three matches in the centre but replaces Drew Mitchell on the wing.

Mitchell was also overlooked for the replacements bench with coach John Connolly calling up Scott Staniforth as one of just two reserve backs.

Connolly said he wanted five forwards on his bench to try and match New Zealand's superior depth in the pack when the bigger players start to tire late in the match.

"New Zealand's strength is in their depth," Connolly said. "We saw the impact their bench made against South Africa last week and they are just so strong from 1 to 22. To beat them we will need to play our best rugby and do the little things well.

"You can't afford to give the All Blacks any opportunities because they have incredible talent across the field and have the ability to hurt you from any position."

Australia: 15-Julian Huxley; 14-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13-Stirling Mortlock (captain), 12-Matt Giteau, 11-Lote Tuqiri; 10-Stephen Larkham, 9-George Gregan; 8-Wycliff Palu, 7-George Smith, 6-Rocky Elsom, 5-Dan Vickerman, 4-Nathan Sharpe; 3-Guy Shepherdson, 2-Stephen Moore, 1-Matt Dunning.  Replacements: 16-Adam Freier, 17-Al Baxter, 18-Mark Chisholm, 19-Stephen Hoiles, 20-Phil Waugh, 21-Scott Staniforth, 22-Mark Gerrard.

New Zealand: 15-Leon MacDonald; 14-Rico Gear, 13-Mils Muliaina, 12-Luke McAlister, 11-Joe Rokocoko; 10-Dan Carter, 9-Byron Kelleher; 8-Rodney So'oialo, 7-Richie McCaw (captain), 6-Jerry Collins, 5-Troy Flavell, 4-Chris Jack; 3-Carl Hayman, 2-Anton Oliver, 1-Tony Woodcock. Replacements: 16-Keven Mealamu, 17-Neemia Tialata, 18-Ross Filipo, 19-Chris Masoe, 20-Piri Weepu, 21-Aaron Mauger, 22-Nick Evans.