Australia unchanged for All Blacks clash

Australia named an unchanged side for Saturday's daunting Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand in Auckland as they go in search of a rare victory at Eden Park. The only changes to the squad that beat South Africa 39-20 in Sydney two weeks ago are the return to the bench of lock Dan Vickerman, halfback Luke Burgess and winger Lachie Turner. Both sides recorded bonus-point wins in their first Tri-Nations outings, with the All Blacks fresh off a 40-7 thumping of South Africa in Wellington, and the Wallabies face a formidable task. New Zealand have not dropped a Test at Eden Park in 17 years, but Australia coach Robbie Deans said he did not feel overwhelmed by the record. "It's about now rather than the history," he said. "The All Blacks do draw strength from their record at the ground, but playing at Eden Park is not something to be feared. It's a challenge, and an opportunity to be embraced and enjoyed. "A lot of visiting teams will be aspiring to achieve something special at Eden Park this year (it is the venue of October’s Rugby World Cup final). This weekend we’re the lucky ones -- we get first crack." Burgess returns to understudy Will Genia, after completing his recovery from a fractured hand, which he suffered in training before the NSW Waratahs Super Rugby semi-final defeat. After performing strongly through 80 minutes for his Sydney University club last weekend, Vickerman is back on the bench, from where he made his return to Test rugby last month against Samoa. The 30 minutes Vickerman played from the bench during that match represented his first taste of Test rugby since 2008. It was his 56th cap, which means the Wallabies have traded one experienced campaigner for another, as Vickerman has taken the place previously allocated to veteran Nathan Sharpe. The third change amongst the run on reserves sees NSW Waratahs wing/fullback Turner slot in, with selectors reverting to the traditional four-forward, three-back split on the substitutes bench. Deans said the changes represented a "horses for courses" approach. "Burgess and Turner have both worked their way back into contention and have shown that they are now ready to go, while Vickerman really stepped up in training last week, and reinforced that for Sydney Uni on the weekend," he said. "This is a contest we believe he is well suited to." However, Deans said Sharpe was not out of World Cup contention and would replace Vickerman for their match against South Africa in Durban on August 13. "I can inform you that he is coming to Africa. He's in the squad. (Vickerman) is unlikely to go to Africa unless there's injury. Both players are aware of that." The change in emphasis on the bench, Deans added, highlighted the difference in nature between an Australia-New Zealand and Australia-South Africa Test. "You saw the differences in approach last weekend," Deans said. "For the South Africans, it's physicality first, second and third. "The All Blacks employ more width and rely on speed of recycle and movement. They play the game wider and faster, which is why the extra speed and additional backline resources are required on the bench." Australia (15-1) Kurtley Beale, James O'Connor, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Pat McCabe, Digby Ioane, Quade Cooper, Will Genia, Ben McCalman, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (capt), James Horwill, Rob Simmons, Ben Alexander, Stephen Moore, Sekope Kepu. Reserves: Saia Faingaa, Pekahou Cowan, Dan Vickerman, Scott Higginbotham, Luke Burgess, Anthony Faingaa, Lachie Turner