KEY POINTS:
SYDNEY - He's considered the baby of the Wallabies squad and Berrick Barnes was literally just that the last time Australia won in Auckland.
The 22-year-old inside centre was just three months old the last time Australia won at Eden Park in September 1986.
He'll step out for
his tenth test cap on Saturday and fully expects the All Blacks to again target his light frame in midfield.
"I know this is probably going to be the toughest match physically I've every encountered and we know they are going to come at us," Barnes said today.
He expected New Zealand's 104kg wrecking ball of a centre Ma'a Nonu to lead the charge on him.
"No doubt they are going to be attacking that area again coming at me through probably Nonu and that's why they selected him again there," Barnes said today.
While All Blacks coach Graham Henry yesterday suggested Barnes may have chinks in his rugby armour outside his kicking game, the Queenslander was philosophical about his game and its contrast with Nonu's.
"We have different skill sets," Barnes said.
"There's other parts of my game, obviously the passing I've got to be a lot better with, I know I've got things to learn from."
Unbeaten in five tests this season under New Zealand-born coach Robbie Deans, Australia will be looking to beat the All Blacks in their own country for the first time in seven years.
Barnes said a victory on Saturday night would be `massive' for Australian rugby.
"You saw it last week with the television coverage, the fans were loving it and people were talking about it on the street again," Barnes said.
"It's exciting to be part of that as a player. I think the good thing is we're actually part of it and able to do something about it".
Asked how he went about trying to halt a rampaging Nonu, who is listed 17kg heavier than him, a laconic Barnes joked "go low and hope for the best, mate".
Barnes believed New Zealand's reshuffled backline would still be dangerous despite the news yesterday that recalled fullback Leon MacDonald had withdrawn from the side.
Mils Muliaina, who was fullback in last week's 34-19 loss to the Wallabies in Sydney, was moved back there from the right wing where he was originally selected for Saturday's clash.
"He (MacDonald) offered a lot of experience and a good kicking game but Mils is there again and we all know what a threat he is running," Barnes said.
Although he performed heroically in defence last week, Barnes was mindful the All Blacks made numerous line breaks, with five-eighth Dan Carter frequently splitting the Australian wall.
"I've still got his hand print on my chest from the palm he put on me," Barnes quipped.
He believed if rainy conditions prevailed in Auckland both teams would have to kick more.
Wallabies winger Peter Hynes anticipated the potential aerial assault if it rained on Saturday.
"They play that sort of footy very well ... we're expecting that and we will just have to do the same to them and pressure their back three."
Wallabies skipper and flanker George Smith was adamant the recall to the starting side of fellow flyer Phil Waugh would not lead to them tag teaming All Black skipper Richie McCaw.
"It doesn't work that way," Smith said.
"You can't focus on just one player."
- AAP
