Daniel Carter has been named in the New Zealand starting XV for Saturday’s must-win Tri-Nations/Bledisloe Cup clash against Australia in Sydney.

Young New Zealand lock Isaac Ross is expecting another stern examination at line-out time against South Africa in this weekend’s Tri-Nations clash in Bloemfontein.

WAYNE SMITH has conceded New Zealand were a “little rusty” against Australia in their opening Tri-Nations fixture last weekend but insists they will improve when they come up against South Africa on Saturday.

New Zealand’s injury concerns ahead of their Tri-Nations clash with South Africa have eased after skipper Richie McCaw, centre Conrad Smith, lock Isaac Ross and hooker Keven Mealamu all came through the team’s light training session in Centurion yesterday.

SPRINGBOK coach Peter de Villiers is developing a reputation for putting his foot in it, and he did little to diminish that view by effectively condoning the eye gouging of Ireland’s Luke Fitzgerald by Springbok flanker Schalk Burger on Saturday.

Luke Fitzgerald insisted South Africa flanker Schalk Burger should have been sent off for eye-gouging him less than 30 seconds into the second Test.

New Zealand 27 Italy 6

Canterbury will travel to Wellington for next weekend’s Air New Zealand Cup final after defeating Hawke’s Bay 31-21 in Christchurch.

IRELAND A coach Michael Bradley has upped the ante ahead of tonight’s Churchill Cup clash with New Zealand Maori (8pm, Sky Sports 1) by revealing a number of his players are in the mix for World Cup selection.

Defending champions New Zealand Maori have named four debutants in the side to face Canada in tomorrow’s Barclays Churchill Cup clash in Northampton.

Crusaders centre Rua Tipoki will lead the New Zealand Maori in their Churchill Cup defence this month.