VENUE & TIME: Etihad Stadium, Melbourne, Sat July 31, 10:00pm (NZT)
HEAD TO HEAD: Played 160 – New Zealand 110, Australia 45, Draw 5.
LAST TIME: October 31, 2009 (Tokyo) – All Blacks 32-19 Wallabies.
Match Odds: TAB NZ: Wallabies: $3.50, All Blacks: $1.28.

WALKING WOUNDED: The Wallabies avoided any further injuries in the big win over the Springboks in Brisbane last weekend but were dealt a major blow at the judiciary after star playmaker Quade Cooper was slapped with a two-match ban. The dazzling flyhalf was found guilty of a spear tackle on Morne Steyn and will miss both the Melbourne and Christchurch Tests against the All Blacks. Berrick Barnes has been rushed back into the starting side at inside centre with Matt Giteau to assume the No.10 jumper. The only other change to the starting line-up sees veteran rake Stephen Moore return to the starting side at the expense of Saia Faingaa. Versatile backrower Matt Hodgson has overcome the groin strain that forced him out of the Springboks Test, with Ben McCalman dropping out of the 22. Rampaging winger Digby Ioane is unlikely to play rugby again this year after re-injuring his shoulder in a training drill, while Peter Hynes (knee) remains sidelined indefinitely with a knee injury. The All Blacks have also made two changes to their starting side with Joe Rokocoko returning from a hamstring injury at the expense of Rene Ranger, while Jimmy Cowan has claimed the contentious No.9 jumper ahead of an unlucky Piri Weepu. Weepu was sublime against the Springboks in Wellington a fortnight ago, but his decision to attend the birth of his first child on Sunday has cost him his starting spot.

FORM: The Wallabies went some way to silencing their growing band of critics with a convincing 30-13 win over the out-of-sorts Springboks in Brisbane last Saturday. As expected, Robbie Deans' men followed the All Blacks blueprint of keeping the ball in hand at every opportunity, kicking the ball a frugal 11 times to leave the 'Boks big men out on their feet. The Wallabies also dominated the breakdown and held their own in the set-piece, although the scrum will need to improve in order to keep pace with the All Blacks. While the win keeps the Aussies in the hunt for their first Tri Nations crown since 2001, their inability to blow the 'Boks off the park in the second half having led 17-3 at the break, is a concern. The All Blacks toyed with the Springboks on the way to consecutive bonus-point victories. Graham Henry's men burst out of the blocks in Auckland, producing one of the most complete performances in recent memory on the way to a 32-12 win, while their 31-17 victory in Wellington a week later would have been an even bigger hiding if not for Dan Carter's rare off night with the boot. The All Blacks were able to counter attack at will against the 'Boks and were also dominant at the breakdown and at scrumtime. But perhaps the biggest worry for future opponents was the Kiwis' improvement in the lineout - previously a perceived weakness - which more than held its own against Victor Matfield and co.

WHO'S HOT: Openside flanker David Pocock had arguably his best outing in the Wallabies jersey against the Springboks in Brisbane to claim man of the match honours. The powerhouse 22-year-old totally dominated the breakdown in his 20th Test match and looms as a key figure this weekend. Rocky Elsom had his best game since taking over as Wallabies skipper last October, while returning scrumhalf Will Genia was also prominent against the 'Boks. In-form No.8 Kieran Read was the pick of an impressive All Blacks bunch in Wellington as part of a dominant backrow. Full-back Mils Muliaina, who will celebrate his 30th birthday on Saturday, tore the Springboks to shreds in the first two Tri Nations Tests and will be hard to handle on the slippery Etihad Stadium surface. Skipper Richie McCaw was also dominant last start while Weepu is desperately unlucky to lose his starting spot after a brilliant showing at home in Wellington.

WE THINK: Both teams enter Saturday's trans-Tasman blockbuster on the back of impressive performances against the Springboks - but the All Blacks are clearly the form team in world rugby at the minute and deserve to enter as heavy favourites. The Wallabies hold the edge in Melbourne having won two of the three Bledisloe Cup Tests played in the sporting capital. The hosts also boast an imposing record at the controversial Etihad Stadium having lost just once in nine attempts. Although both coaches have attempted to play down the significance of the slippery surface at Etihad it will be a major factor. And we suspect it will play into the hands of the All Blacks who are used to playing in horrendous conditions back home. All Blacks by 5 points.

TEAMS:

Wallabies: 1. Benn Robinson, 2. Stephen Moore, 3. Salesi Ma'afu, 4. Dean Mumm, 5. Nathan Sharpe, 6. Rocky Elsom (c), 7. David Pocock, 8. Richard Brown, 9. Will Genia, 10. Matt Giteau, 11. Drew Mitchell, 12. Berrick Barnes, 13. Rob Horne, 14. James O'Connor, 15. Adam Ashley Cooper,

Reserves: 16. Saia Faingaa, 17. James Slipper, 18. Rob Simmons, 19. Matt Hodgson, 20. Luke Burgess, 21. Anthony Faingaa, 22. Kurtley Beale

All Blacks: 1. Tony Woodcock, 2.Keven Mealamu, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brad Thorn, 5. Tom Donnelly, 6. Jerome Kaino, 7. Richie McCaw (c), 8. Kieran Read (21), 9. Jimmy Cowan, 10. Daniel Carter, 11. Josevata Rokocoko, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 13. Conrad Smith, 14. Cory Jane, 15. Mils Muliaina.

Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. Ben Franks, 18. Samuel Whitelock, 19. Victor Vito, 20. Piri Weepu, 21. Aaron Cruden, 22.Israel Dagg.