Five changes to the All Blacks starting team to face the Wallabies in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup blockbuster were confirmed on Thursday.
Aaron Cruden's well documented first Test start at first five-eighths coincides with Piri Weepu's elevation ahead of Jimmy Cowan at halfback. The halves combination, together with midfielders Ma'a Nonu and Conrad Smith, plus right wing Cory Jane, means there are five Hurricanes in the seven-man backline.
Hawke's Bay prodigy Israel Dagg gets a chance to impress on the left wing in Sydney, with Joe Rokocoko dropping out of the 22-man side.
In the pack, blindside flanker Victor Vito earns a start, which pushes Jerome Kaino to the bench, and Owen Franks regains his No.3 jersey, while Anthony Boric could see some rare game-time after being preferred to Sam Whitelock as the third lock.
Canterbury pivot Colin Slade is in line to make his Test debut off the reserves, and Northland excitement machine Rene Ranger has also been included as outside back cover.
All Blacks coach Graham Henry said the All Blacks were expecting a strong challenge from the Wallabies, who would take confidence from their win over the Springboks in Bloemfontein.
"The Wallabies will be up for a big game coming off the back of a good away win and playing in front of their home crowd in Sydney, so they will come out firing," Henry said.
Meanwhile, All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will lead the side for the 52nd time in Tests, which moves him past Sean Fitzpatrick as the most capped Test skipper in All Blacks history.
Henry paid tribute to his captain on his durability and excellence as well as his attitude, which has seen him grow and develop as the team's leader.
"Richie is an outstanding leader and, in my opinion, one of the best players in world rugby and he also is an exemplary ambassador off the field, so we are very fortunate to have him out in front of this team every week."
A win for the All Blacks would see them achieve a record 10 consecutive victories over Australia, and a 15th victory in a row for the current team, while also becoming the first team to win all six matches in a Tri Nations series.
If the All Blacks score more than 18 points they will eclipse their own Tri Nations scoring record for a single season of 179 points, which was set by the 2006 All Blacks. That would add to the record of 20 tries already achieved this season.
All Blacks team:
1. Tony Woodcock, 2. Keven Mealamu, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brad Thorn, 5. Tom Donnelly, 6. Victor Vito, 7. Richie McCaw (c), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Piri Weepu, 10. Aaron Cruden, 11. Israel Dagg, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 13. Conrad Smith, 14. Cory Jane, 15. Mils Muliaina Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. John Afoa, 18. Anthony Boric, 19. Jerome Kaino, 20. Jimmy Cowan, 21. Colin Slade, 22. Rene Ranger