All Blacks: Patched-up side face settled Wallabies

Rodney So'oialo (centre) and Richie McCaw have been recalled to the All Blacks squad. Photo / Getty Images

The All Blacks will change half their side while the Wallabies will bring a settled combination to Eden Park for the start of the Bledisloe Cup series.

Coach Graham Henry has been able to recall captain Richie McCaw, No 8 Rodney So'oialo and wing Sitiveni Sivivatu after injury removed them from the troubled June internationals against France and Italy.

That trio should slot back into the starting XV along with tighthead prop Neemia Tialata, hooker Andrew Hore and centre Conrad Smith from the side which struggled past Italy 27-6 in their last outing.

The choice of halfback will also be up for debate with Piri Weepu likely to be the bench backup with the start entrusted to either Brendon Leonard or Jimmy Cowan.

Utility Isaia Toeava will not figure as he has a stress fracture in his foot, while Stephen Donald is struggling with a hamstring strain - which leaves Luke McAlister to start the test as the goalkicking first five-eighth.

The 30 players in the All Blacks squad will assemble in Wellington for a two day camp starting on Wednesday. Tamati Ellison, Anthony Tuitavake, Stephen Brett and Ben Franks will join the session as injury cover. The playing XV will be revealed next week.

Those not considered because of injury were Ali Williams, Rudi Wulf, Adam Thomson, Richard Kahui, Anthony Boric, Andy Ellis, Corey Flynn, Scott Waldrom and Dan Carter.

"It's going to be a huge contest right from the first test," Henry said. "But this group of players has the resolve and the character to meet that challenge head on, so we are expecting it to be another massive competition between the three top-ranked countries in world rugby."

After the July 18 series start, the All Blacks leave for South Africa the next day to play successive tests at Bloemfontein and Durban. First up are the Wallabies, who have won all four of their matches this season.

Coach Robbie Deans used most of his preferred XV in their last game against France, though it is likely he will reintroduce No 8 Wycliff Palu, who has recovered from a hand injury. Flanker George Smith will bring up an extraordinary 100 tests for the Wallabies in the week he turns 28.

The backline is bristling with tactical kickers from Matt Giteau to Adam Ashley-Cooper at fullback, while the All Blacks will probably have just Brendan Leonard, McAlister and Mils Muliaina who are comfortable kicking in their back division.

Rugby circles are still bristling with theories about the sacking of experienced Wallabies wing Lote Tuqiri. The Australian Rugby Union has refused to disclose any details for his exclusion.

Rumours gather pace that the wing was sacked after breaking social protocols set down by the Wallabies.

When the All Blacks hosted the Wallabies last season at Eden Park, they were coming off twin defeats at Carisbrook and Sydney.

McCaw returned after injury and reversed a poor run with an impressive 39-10 victory.

From that side, Carter, Williams, Greg Somerville and Kahui are unavailable for this year's start to the Cup and Tri-Nations series.

* The squad

FORWARDS

John Afoa (Auckland)

Wyatt Crockett (Canterbury)

Aled de Malmanche (Waikato)

Jason Eaton (Taranaki)

Bryn Evans (Hawke's Bay)

Owen Franks (Canterbury)

Andrew Hore (Taranaki)

Cory Jane (Wellington)

Jerome Kaino (Auckland)

Tanerau Latimer (Bay of Plenty)

Richie McCaw, captain (Canterbury)

Keven Mealamu (Auckland)

Kieran Read (Canterbury)

Isaac Ross (Canterbury)

Rodney So'oialo (Wellington)

Brad Thorn (Canterbury)

Neemia Tialata (Wellington)

Tony Woodcock (North Harbour)

BACKS

Jimmy Cowan (Southland)

Stephen Donald (Waikato)

Hosea Gear (Wellington)

Brendon Leonard (Waikato)

Luke McAlister (North Harbour)

Mils Muliaina (Waikato)

Ma'a Nonu (Wellington)

Joe Rokocoko (Auckland)

Sitiveni Sivivatu (Waikato)

Conrad Smith (Wellington)

Isaia Toeava (Auckland)

Piri Weepu (Wellington)