nzherald.co.nz video producer Steve Orsbourn is in Sydney for the test and will be filing regular updates throughout the buildup and over the weekend
KEY POINTS:
Australia can expect some serious steam-letting from powerhouse All Blacks rugby lock Brad Thorn in his first Bledisloe Cup start at Sydney tomorrow night.
Thorn endured one of the most frustrating nights of his storied sports career when New Zealand lost 28-30 to South Africa two weeks ago, watching from the Carisbrook grandstand as he served a one-week suspension.
Also watching were a swag of people closest to him.
"It sucked, that's probably the best word," Thorn said of his predicament.
"I've never been good at watching stuff.
"It was a game I was really targeting. It's a pretty personal game for me in Dunedin because I was born in Mosgiel.
"It's where my father was born and it would have been special with all my family and friends there."
Banned for his lift and drop of Springboks captain John Smit in the first test, Thorn expected the worst when his punishment was dished out a day later.
He got the bad news about Dunedin but in the back of his mind was relief that he was free to tackle Australia, the country where he forged a successful career in rugby league.
"When the guy at the judiciary said `one week', it was really disappointing but on the other side this was a game that I didn't want to miss," he said.
"It's a big deal over there, it's just a fantastic atmosphere. A whole bunch of Kiwis come over, the Aussies are all pumped up.
"I've played a fair bit of big-match footy over there and know how big it can get."
Thorn's two tests against the Wallabies were both 20-minute reserve bench cameos at tomorrow's venue, ANZ Stadium.
The first was a record-breaking 50-21 win and the second their 10-22 World Cup semifinal defeat.
"That was two good experiences for me. I guess one of them ended up being pretty disappointing."
The influence that 33-year-old Thorn brings with his power scrummaging and authority at the collision was clearly missed at Dunedin.
It was exacerbated when locking partner Ali Williams exited with an early injury, leaving rookies Anthony Boric and Kevin O'Neill to carry the load.
Whether Thorn and Williams can improve New Zealand's muddled lineout form this year tomorrow remains to be seen but they and another recalled Crusader - prop Greg Somerville - are likely to contribute towards a scrummaging edge.
Forwards coach Steve Hansen was blunt when asked if he felt more comfortable with tomorrow's starting pack than the one that finished at Dunedin.
"It does have a little more experience to it, a bit more grunt to it," he said.
If they muscle up, first five-eighth Daniel Carter is in the sort of form to control his 50th test with astute kicking and potentially unleash a backline laden with ball runners but lacking experience apart from fullback Mils Muliaina.
However, Carter said it could be a long night if the Wallabies pack established control of the breakdown as they did in the 16-9 win over South Africa at Perth last Saturday.
"They're a very lethal backline and they have been for a few years now," Carter said, singling out inside backs Matt Giteau and Berrick Barnes as unpredictable attacking threats.
"They're both great readers of the game and will direct their guys around the field well with a kicking game but they're both capable of playing attacking, running rugby."
Carter defended well against the physical Springboks and has been a pivotal figure in all five of New Zealand's tests this season.
His goalkicking has been exceptional, having kicked 82 of the All Blacks' 149 points, a high ratio compared to recent seasons.
- NZPA
