KEY POINTS:
MELBOURNE - Wallabies coach John Connolly has made just one change to his side but admits all his players are heading into the rugby unknown against the All Blacks on Saturday night.
Brumbies utility back Adam Ashley-Cooper got the nod for his sixth test appearance on the right wing, replacing Drew Mitchell, who started the Wallabies' 19-22 loss to the Springboks in Cape Town nearly a fortnight ago.
Centre Stirling Mortlock will again captain a side with an unchanged forward pack after their impressive deeds against the Springboks, particularly in the scrum.
While stability is the key for the Wallabies, who will try to end a five-match losing streak against the All Blacks, Connolly said the perceived home ground advantage at the huge Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) with 70,000-80,000 fans was not a big factor.
"We're at home and we've got the ground support, but the difference is that South African and New Zealand sides play at the same stadiums week in, week out. Australian teams come here once every couple of years," Connolly said.
"It's a totally new environment outside of the support of the crowd."
The two sides last met at the MCG in 1998 when the Wallabies won 24-16. The Wallabies have two survivors from that match, halfback George Gregan and first five-eighth Stephen Larkham.
Connolly said Ashley-Cooper, who was on the bench in Cape Town, impressed during the latter stages of the Super 14 when he played on the wing.
He was a safer option than Mitchell, a stronger defender.
Sydney-born Ashley-Cooper, 23, made his test debut against South Africa in Perth in 2005 but was stunned to get shoulder-tapped this week.
"Earlier in the week Knuckles (Connolly) mentioned I was starting this weekend. I said 'are you sure you've got the right bloke, Knuckles?'. He said: 'yeah mate'. I said: 'oh, geez'.
"It really sunk in then, I couldn't believe it. I was surprised to be on the bench against the 'Boks, let alone starting this weekend. I'm over the moon," Ashley-Cooper said.
Midfield back Matt Giteau and flanker Rocky Elsom have been named despite both sitting out training yesterday.
Connolly has retained vice-captain George Smith on the openside flank over Phil Waugh after Smith's starring role in Cape Town where he caused havoc at the breakdown.
The tight five also has a more stable look, with the front row of Matt Dunning, Stephen Moore and Guy Shepherdson getting another chance against the All Blacks' powerhouses.
"This will be a fair step up in some areas. The scrum will be more of a challenge, the lineouts hopefully ... we'll be very competitive there," Connolly said.
He said minimising errors was the main focus.
They are confident their defence will hold firm but wary of the All Blacks' deadly counter attack which brought them two decisive tries late in the 26-21 win over the Springboks in Durban.
"They will capitalise on opportunities more than any team in the world," Connolly said.
"Against England and France last year they were beaten for field position but got away with the game very comfortably on the back of opposition mistakes."
Australia: Julian Huxley, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Stirling Mortlock (captain), Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Rocky Elsom, Dan Vickerman, Nathan Sharpe, Guy Shepherdson, Stephen Moore, Matt Dunning.
Reserves: Adam Freier, Al Baxter, Mark Chisholm, Stephen Hoiles, Phil Waugh, Scott Staniforth, Mark Gerrard.
- NZPA
