All Blacks rugby coach Graham Henry will give Luke McAlister until Thursday to prove his fitness to face the Wallabies as a back injury threatens to derail his test reunion with Daniel Carter.

Many of the Government's front row will be in the stands when the All Blacks take the field in Sydney for Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup match.

The overwhelming rush to pass bitter judgement on Robbie Deans this week has trampled a few reputations, but only those in the stampeding pack.

The All Blacks are focused on securing the Bledisloe Cup for a seventh consecutive year on Saturday night.

Fifteen months is a long honeymoon, but for Wallabies rugby coach Robbie Deans it is officially over, says former test captain Andrew Slack.

Dan Carter is set to make his return test match rugby after being named in the All Blacks squad to take on the Wallabies in Sydney next week.

Any plan for Piri Weepu to play for Wellington B this weekend ended when he damaged his ankle yesterday at a special All Black training camp.

Carter hardly needs to rush back to secure his place - if the man says he is ready, I'm ready to believe him.

Dan Carter has been recalled to the All Blacks squad for the remainder of their Tri-Nations campaign.

The All Blacks and Wallabies have been left with all the dramas ahead of their meeting in Sydney this month.

Photos from the Tri-Nations match between Australia and South Africa in Cape Town.