KEY POINTS:
Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock will return in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup rugby rematch in Auckland, where he says the pressure is on the All Blacks' selectors.
Mortlock missed his side's 34-19 win at ANZ Stadium on Saturday because of concussion, but will be named at centre by coach Robbie Deans today, assuming he gets through training without incident.
"I'm raring to go. There's a few things I've got to do ... but I personally feel 100 per cent and that's usually a pretty good indicator," Mortlock said.
Mortlock was a frustrated spectator on Saturday after being ruled out with the after-effects of concussion, suffered against the Springboks.
He said he'd await today's All Blacks team naming with interest, especially whether his long-time opponent Conrad Smith would be restored.
Saturday's midfield combination of Ma'a Nonu and Richard Kahui struggled at times amid a rash of All Blacks handling errors and tough Wallabies defence.
"It'll be interesting to see what combination they select in the midfield," Mortlock said.
"I was a little bit surprised [at Smith's omission], just because I have a huge amount of respect for Conrad as a player."
All Blacks captain Richie McCaw was also in the stands on Saturday with an ankle sprain, and while he was still described as a 50-50 chance yesterday, the Wallabies expect him to play.
The Wallabies arrive in Auckland on Thursday, a city they haven't won in since 1986. While Mortlock was fresh, he said a third tough test match in as many weeks would be the big challenge for his teammates against a pained All Blacks, who haven't lost three tests in a row since 1998.
- NZPA
