Mitchell targets number one ranking

John Mitchell returned to his strongest possible line-up for New Zealand’s twin assault on the Bledisloe Cup and the world number one ranking this weekend.

The same XV that sent shock waves through Australian rugby by serving up a record 50-21 victory over the Wallabies a month ago have been charged with finishing the job on Saturday.

A win or a draw in Auckland would be enough for New Zealand to regain the historic trophy for the first time since 1997.

But victory by a clear 22 points, for a side that racked up a half century in each of their first two Tri-Nations games, would also lift them back above England as the world’s number one ranked side.

After giving his fringe players a run-out in the hard-fought 19-11 win over South Africa last week, Mitchell recalled the big guns with openside flanker Richie McCaw, lock Chris Jack, hooker Keven Mealamu and prop Greg Somerville all returning.

The All Blacks’ stunning back-line, which ripped Australia to shreds in Sydney, again remains unchanged but Australia coach Eddie Jones will have learned a great deal from the way they were shackled by the Springboks last week.

South Africa’s in-your-face defence stifled New Zealand’s creativity and forced a reliance on the temperamental goalkicking of fly-half Carlos Spencer.

The Auckland fly-half was on-song in Dunedin and his 14 points sealed a fifth Tri-Nations title for the All Blacks, but when England employed similar tactics in June, Spencer had an off day and New Zealand lost.

Nevertheless, Australia face a torrid test of their credentials at Eden Park in what marks 100 years of Test rugby between the trans-Tasman foes and is both country’s final match before the World Cup kicks off in October.

Holders of the Bledisloe Cup since 1998, Australia still harbour fitness concerns over Toutai Kefu.

The dynamic number eight, who has recovered from spinal concussion but felt a tightening of the calf in training this week, has provisionally been included in the Australia side and has until match day to prove his fitness.

Kefu insisted he will play in what will be his final Bledisloe Cup match even if he feels only 90% given the break Australia have after the leading into the World Cup.

Nevertheless, David Lyons has been placed on stand-by to step into the squad and the likelihood is that if Kefu is unfit to play, Owen Finegen will come off the bench to play at blindside flanker with George Smith moving to number eight.

Jones was hoping to name an unchanged line-up for the first time in 12 Tests after the bruising victory over South Africa, but prop Patricio Noriega has been forced out with a groin problem.

Veteran Queensland prop Glenn Panoho passed a fitness test and will start his first international since the defeat to the Lions two years ago.

Rising NSW star Al Baxter, a late replacement, was named on the bench ahead of Waratahs team-mate Matt Dunning – his first appearance in a Wallaby squad.

“Al’s a very good, athletic prop who has a very high work rate and I’m sure

he’ll handle the step up,” said Jones.

Teams for Tri-Nations Test between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park, Auckland are:

New Zealand: M Muliaina; D Howlett, T Umaga, A Mauger, J Rokocoko; C Spencer, J Marshall; D Hewett, K Mealamu, G Somerville, R Thorne (captain), C Jack, A Williams, R McCaw, J Collins.

Replacements: L MacDonald, D Carter, S Devine, M Holah, B Thorn, K Meeuws, M Hammett.

Australia: C Latham; W Sailor, M Rogers, E Flatley, L Tuqiri; S Larkham, G Gregan (captain); B Young, B Cannon, G Panoho, D Giffin, D Vickerman, G Smith, P Waugh, T Kefu.

Replacements: J Paul, A Baxter, N Sharpe, O Finegan, C Whitaker, M Giteau, M Burke.

23rd man David Lyons, 24th man Steve Kefu.