TRI-NATIONS/Australia v New Zealand:THIS SEASON'S Tri-Nations has only just begun but there is already a sense of desperation creeping into the Australian and New Zealand camps.
Both teams have lost their last two matches and know their chances of winning the title will be all over if they lose tomorrow’s clash at the Olympic stadium.
The All Blacks responded to back-to-back losses in South Africa by rushing back injured outhalf Dan Carter and dropping senior players Rodney So’oialo and Ma’a Nonu.
The reaction from the Wallabies was to recall flanker Rocky Elsom from injury and reshuffling their backline to accommodate teenage whiz-kid, fullback James O’Connor.
“It’s a big game for us, there’s no hiding from that,” New Zealand’s assistant coach Wayne Smith said.
AUSTRALIA: O’Connor; Turner, Ashley-Cooper, Barnes, Mitchell; Giteau, Burgess; Robinson, Moore, Baxter, Horwill, Sharpe, Elsom, Smith (capt), Brown. Replacements: Polota-Nau, Alexander, Mumm, Pocock, Genia, Cross, Hynes.
NEW ZEALAND: Muliaina; Rokocoko, Smith, McAlister, Sivivatu; Carter, Cowan; Woodcock, Hore, Franks, Thorn, Ross, Kaino, McCaw (capt), Read. Replacements: De Malmanche, Afoa, Eaton, Sooialo, Leonard, Donald, Nonu.
Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (RSA)
