Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has declared the state of the playing surface a non-issue ahead of Saturday's trans-Tasman showdown with New Zealand, insisting his players would play on 'asphalt' if they had to.
An intense Deans was forced to deflect a barrage of questions on the controversial Etihad Stadium pitch shortly after announcing two personnel changes to his starting side for the crucial Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup encounter.
Berrick Barnes will line-up at inside centre for the suspended Quade Cooper with Matt Giteau shifting to flyhalf, while experienced rake Stephen Moore comes in for young-gun Saia Faingaa.
The AFL Players' Association threatened a boycott of matches at Etihad Stadium on Monday before the league and stadium management agreed on a series of improvements to the ground which will also host two AFL matches this weekend.
But Deans, who is staring down the barrel of an eighth consecutive defeat against the Kiwis, is adamant the shifting surface won't be a problem come Saturday night.
"I have no concerns about it, it's a level playing field for both sides," Deans growled.
"We'll play on asphalt if we have to, it doesn't matter."
"It's a Bledisloe Test match happening in Melbourne this weekend and that's fantastic. It'll be a great occasion, a great game, it'll be great theatre and there'll be an awful lot for people to enjoy."
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said the Kiwis would put longer sprigs in their boots and hope for the best.
"I've heard there's a bit of talk about the surface but at the end of the day we can't change it, we've just got to get on with it," McCaw said.
"I guess one thing is that with the roof shut it won't be wet so that's a positive. I'm sure it will be fine."
"We've just got to make the best of it. I've played on a few surfaces like that (at Milliennium Stadium in Cardiff and Wembley in London) but once you get under way there's the odd issue but we've just got to put that to the side."
Deans also looked to play down the significance of the All Blacks' recent dominance, insisting his youthful line-up is not burdened by past history.
The Wallabies' 34-19 triumph in Sydney in 2008 over an All Blacks side that was missing skipper Richie McCaw is Deans' only triumph against his countrymen in eight attempts.
"We're not too concerned about the past," he said.
"The past is called the past for that reason."
He added when asked to account for his side's recent trend of squandering half-time leads against the Kiwis: "They've been superior than us in the final 40 and particularly the last 20. They've been able to impose their will on us, to cut a long story short."
While reluctant to dwell on the past, Deans admits last Saturday's 30-13 victory over the Springboks was a major source of confidence for the Wallabies.
"It was great for the group," Deans said.
"The boys have worked hard and they're getting a return for that effort. It was a good performance, there were elements within it that we can be better at and we're working on that."
"Within our performances there's been a lot of consistency around defence. Our defence has been good over a period of time."