Aussies put faith in Kiwi

The Wallabies have not won the Tri-Nations since 2001 and the odds are heavily stacked against them this time after their record 53-8 loss to South Africa less than two weeks ago.

New Zealand have won five of the past six editions and hold a one-point lead in the standings after victories in their last two matches against Australia and the Springboks.

Yet, the involvement of New Zealand-born coach Robbie Deans (pictured right), who joined Australia this season after being overlooked for the All Blacks job, has added an intriguing twist to the match.

Deans knows the New Zealand players well after coaching most of them at the Canterbury Crusaders and is recognised as one the great tacticians and motivators of the game.

He made good on his promise to wield the axe after the South African debacle by dumping five players for this weekend's decider at Lang Park and that move has had the right effect.

The five recalled players, centre Ryan Cross, hooker Stephen Moore, flanker George Smith, lock Nathan Sharpe and prop Al Baxter, are determined to make the most of their chance while the survivors are keen to repay Deans for showing faith in them.

"I think everyone was pretty worried about that performance in South Africa, I certainly was," full-back Adam Ashley-Cooper said. "(Being selected by Deans) was a great boost and now I'm really, really excited about it.

"The silverware's on the line, playing the Kiwis in front of a full house, it doesn't get any better than this."

The quietly spoken Deans played down the significance of the changes but said he expected an immediate improvement from his team this weekend.

"It's not a matter of reinventing the wheel or tipping everything on its head," Deans said.

"It's a matter of sticking to what serves you and trying to win more of those little contests so that the outcome deals with itself."

All Blacks coach Graham Henry retained the same winning combination that started in New Zealand's last two Tri-Nations victories.

Henry, who came under intense criticism in New Zealand after his team's failure to win last year's World Cup, fears Australia's thrashing by South Africa could work against his side because of Deans' ability to inspire his players.

Even the New Zealand players admit they are concerned by the Deans factor with Crusaders fly-half Dan Carter wary of his ability to quickly turn things around.

"He brings out the best in players and I'm sure he'll do that this week so they're primed and ready to play the biggest game of the season," Carter said.

Australia: 15-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14-Peter Hynes, 13-Ryan Cross, 12-Stirling Mortlock (capt), 11-Lote Tuqiri, 10-Matt Giteau, 9-Sam Cordingley, 8-Wycliff Palu, 7-George Smith, 6-Rocky Elsom, 5-Nathan Sharpe, 4-James Horwill, 3-Al Baxter, 2-Stephen Moore, 1-Benn Robinson.

Replacements: 16-Adam Freier, 17-Matt Dunning, 18-Hugh McMeniman, 19-Phil Waugh, 20-Richard Brown, 21-Brett Sheehan, 22-Drew Mitchell.

New Zealand: 15-Mils Muliaina, 14-Richard Kahui, 13-Conrad Smith, 12-Ma'a Nonu, 11-Sitiveni Sivivatu, 10-Dan Carter, 9-Jimmy Cowan, 8-Rodney So'oialo, 7-Richie McCaw (capt), 6-Jerome Kaino, 5-Ali Williams, 4-Brad Thorn, 3-Greg Somerville, 2-Andrew Hore, 1-Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: 16-Keven Mealamu, 17-John Afoa/Neemia Tialata, 18-Anthony Boric, 19-Adam Thomson, 20-Piri Weepu, 21-Stephen Donald, 22-Isaia Toeava.