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.