Little in, Kronfeld out

Jason Little is in the starting line-up for Australia

Australia and New Zealand have both made minor changes ahead of their Tri-Nations clash on Saturday.

Australia coach Rod Macqueen has made just one alteration to his starting team with centre Jason Little replacing Rod Kafer, while New Zealand's Josh Kronfeld is left out.

Little earned his recall after scoring a try when he came on as a substitute for Kafer in Australia's record 44-23 win over South Africa last weekend.

Macqueen resisted the temptation to rush hard-running number eight Toutai Kefu back into the starting line-up.

Kefu, who keeps his place on the bench, also scored a try against the Springboks in his first international outing since he broke his leg in May playing for Queensland in the Super 12 series.

Bench

ACT Brumbies utility back Andrew Walker replaces Elton Flatley on the reserves bench.

If Walker plays against the All Blacks at Sydney's Olympic Stadium on Saturday, he will join a select band of players to have represented Australia at both rugby league and rugby union.

Andrew Walker's return to rugby union from rugby league has been an outstanding success and he thoroughly deserves his spot in the squad

  Rod Macqueen

Walker played one rugby league Test for Australia against Papua New Guinea in 1996 but switched to rugby union at the start of 2000.

Macqueen said: "Andrew's return to rugby union from rugby league has been an outstanding success and he thoroughly deserves his spot in the squad.

"He was one of the form players in the Super 12 series and I have every confidence he will excel if we need him. The All Blacks are in devastating form and this match is going to be a huge challenge for everyone who takes the field," he added.

All Blacks

All Blacks coach Wayne Smith was adamant that Scott Robertson's inclusion ahead of Kronfeld did not signal the end of the career of one of rugby's great open-side flankers.

Smith said he was sticking with his successful rotational policy, used in the All Blacks' three wins this year and was calling his best 15 available to take on the world champions.

He also recalled former captain Taine Randell to the blindside flank and centre Pita Alatini.

Smith said: "We've got a horses-for-courses approach ... It's been a matter for all players to put their egos aside and accept it.

"We explain to them what we're doing and why we're doing it.

"And once the decision's made, they have to accept it and go on supporting their comrades and Josh is no different."

Australia: Chris Latham; Stirling Mortlock, Daniel Herbert, Jason Little, Joe Roff; Stephen Larkham, George Gregan; Jim Williams, David Wilson, Mark Connors, John Eales (capt), David Giffin, Fletcher Dyson, Michael Foley, Richard Harry
Reserves: Rod Kafer, Andrew Walker, Sam Cordingley, Toutai Kefu, Troy Jaques, Glenn Panoho, Jeremy Paul

New Zealand: Christian Cullen; Tana Umaga, Alama Ieremia, Pita Alatini, Jonah Lomu; Andrew Mehrtens, Justin Marshall; Ron Cribb, Scott Robertson, Taine Randell, Norm Maxwell, Todd Blackadder (capt), Kees Meeuws, Anton Oliver, Carl Hoeft
Reserves: Leon MacDonald, Tony Brown, Byron Kelleher, Josh Kronfeld, Troy Flavell, Craig Dowd, Mark Hammett