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Surface fine for Tri-Nations - McCaw
New Zealand captain Richie McCaw says the stadium pitch for Saturday's Tri-Nations rugby match against Australia should be "good as gold," dismissing criticism of the surface.
McCaw said on Friday that he and the All Blacks squad visited the Docklands venue on Thursday and had little issue with the pitch that has been criticised by Australian Rules football players for being uneven and spongy in places.
There were unconfirmed reports that South African referee Craig Joubert had concerns about the opening Bledisloe Cup test match going ahead.
"I think it's been a lot of talk about not much," McCaw said Friday. "It's obviously not the best I've played on but it's going to be fine I think ... good as gold."
McCaw compared the roofed stadium to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium - the venue where the All Blacks were upset 20-18 by France in the 2007 World Cup quarterfinal.
"Two big forward packs pushing the scrum may rip the ground up a bit but I think it will be fine," he said.
Earlier in the week, both teams made two changes to winning lineups.
The Wallabies, who beat South Africa 30-13 at Brisbane last Saturday, reinstated Matt Giteau at flyhalf in place of the suspended Quade Cooper. With Giteau moving in one spot, Berrick Barnes won a recall to the starting lineup at inside center.
Cooper received a two-match suspension for a dangerous tackle in the South Africa match and his appeal against the ban was unsuccessful. He will also miss next weekend's match against the All Blacks in Christchurch.
The All Blacks named a fit Joe Rokocoko on the left wing in place of Rene Ranger and Jimmy Cowan at scrumhalf ahead of Piri Weepu.
Rokocoko missed the second of New Zealand's two test wins over Tri-Nations champions South Africa with a hamstring injury but has won back his place in a starting XV boasting more than 700 test caps.
He will make his 64th test appearance, moving ahead of John Kirwan and Jonah Lomu as the All Blacks' most-capped winger. Prop Tony Woodcock will play his 66th test, joining Greg Somerville as the most-capped All Blacks prop.
The All Blacks, led by McCaw and fullback Mils Muliaina who will both play their 86th tests, have put together a team of extraordinary depth.
"We will need all our experience up against what is a very good Wallabies side," All Blacks coach Graham Henry said.
Nathan Sharpe will equal the record of World Cup-winning captain John Eales for most caps earned by a Wallabies lock when he makes his 84th test appearance.
New Zealand lead the competition with 10 points from their two bonus-point wins at home. Australia have four and South Africa are pointless.
Lineups:
Australia: Adam Ashley Cooper, James O'Connor, Rob Horne, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Will Genia; Richard Brown, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (captain), Nathan Sharpe, Dean Mumm, Salesi Maafu, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Saia Faingaa, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Matt Hodgson, Luke Burgess, Anthony Faingaa, Kurtley Beale.
New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu,
Joe Rokocoko, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw
(captain), Jerome Kaino, Tom Donnelly, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks,
Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Corey Flynn, Ben Franks,
Sam Whitelock, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Israel Dagg.
