Henry expecting thriller in Melbourne

New Zealand coach Graham Henry predicts Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia will be a classic.

The All Blacks come into the decisive Tri-Nations clash with the knowledge a number of their key players are struggling with injury and a greater number of Australians will be crammed into the MCG cheering their every stutter.

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However Henry, whose come into the clash on the back of a come-from-behind 26-21 win over the Springboks last week in Durban, is not fazed and is expecting a fierce battle.

He said: “The Wallabies-All Blacks games have got a history of being superb fixtures and if you ask the referees which game they would like to referee at the highest level they will say Australia v New Zealand because they know both sides want to go out and play rugby.

“And that’s a reflection of the competition between those two sides for a large number of years – these games are highly respected, they are seen as top competition.

“And I can see no difference on Saturday.”

If his side is to emerge on top, they will need to do so in a changed format.

The late withdrawal of full-back Leon MacDonald with a groin injury has seen Mauger return to the starting line-up outside McAlister, with Muliaina moving to fullback.

Dynamic winger Sitiveni Sivivatu starts from the bench for the Kiwis, who are without Isaia Toeava, with Rico Gear taking over on the wing. The New Zealand lineout will be improved by the return of Chris Jack.

The changes do not instil any hope in the Wallabies’ head coach John Connolly.

Connolly said: “We saw the impact their (reserves) bench made against South Africa last week and they are just so strong from (jersey) 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 them any opportunities because they have incredible talent across the field and have the ability to hurt you from any position.”