Scrum crucial in Aussie rematch

The All Blacks rely on top players like captain Richie McCaw, here breaking through the tackle of Fourie Du Preez to score against South Africa on Saturday. Barry Durrant / Getty Images

The Wallabies will stick with their tyro props while the All Blacks are banking on the return of loosehead Tony Woodcock for the second Bledisloe Cup match in Brisbane.

That duel has been the main theme for Saturday's rematch after the All Blacks destroyed the visitors' scrum in the opening defence of the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe silverware.

If the All Blacks repeat that havoc, Daniel Carter will get more scope than rival five-eighths Stephen Larkham to decide the outcome of this first test between the teams in Brisbane since 1996.

Concerned Australian coach John Connolly has been scouting alternatives to Greg Holmes and Guy Shepherdson, the rookies who cracked under the force of the retuned All Black pack in Christchurch.

Experienced hooker Jeremy Paul will anchor the novice props after Connolly felt the bulky Rodney Blake was still unprepared for the test after his weekend comeback from a long-term ankle injury.

Connolly may need to replace lock Daniel Vickerman who was cleared of serious shoulder damage after the 49-0 slaughter of South Africa but is still tender.

Mark Chisholm would come off the bench with either Al Campbell or Wycliff Palu brought in to cover the lock/blindside flanker role.

This test looks as though it will decide the Tri-Nations crown as South Africa has disappointed.

The All Blacks jettisoned the injured Piri Weepu and Sam Tuitupou from their squad which travelled yesterday to Brisbane. They also dispensed with Greg Rawlinson and Anton Oliver. It may be presumptuous, given the rotations this season, but the All Blacks are likely to use the bulk of the side which beat the Wallabies 32-12 at Christchurch.

Eight players were rested from the 35-17 win at the weekend against South Africa and few of their replacements impressed in what was a sluggish Wellington test.

There is a noticeable distinction between the top group and the next layer of players, a massive reliance on players like Daniel Carter, Richie McCaw, Keven Mealamu, Carl Hayman, Chris Jack, Jerry Collins, Aaron Mauger and Mils Muliaina.

Loosehead prop Woodcock is expected to be fit after his shoulder problem although Neemia Tialata showed he could do the job very capably while the consistent Reuben Thorne is also an option if the lineout has to be tweaked.

There will be strong selection debate about the merits of either Jason Eaton or Ali Williams as Jack's locking partner while none of the wings, apart from Rico Gear, has impressed.

Five straight wins have been a solid response to the rotation policy and there have been distinct benefits in protecting the squad's fitness. However, there have been fluctuating standards, combinations have not gelled, reasons given for lack of capacity crowds in Christchurch and Wellington. However, those who went to Westpac Stadium saw another virtuoso performance from Carter on Saturday, an effort which illuminated a dreary All Black showing.

Without him, the All Blacks would probably have lost to the Boks in New Zealand for the first time since 1998.

Carter goaled nine from nine for 25 points in a return to form after two mixed efforts. Twice, he also turned loose South African kicks into tries with his brilliant counter-attack. It was some riposte after his opening kick was charged down for Fourie du Preez to score.

"It was a bit of a horror start but as soon as I was back at halfway, I was looking at the rest of the game, trying to implement the game plan and just forget about it," Carter said.

Carter was out of sorts last season against the Boks in Cape Town when he and his backline struggled to break free from the rush defence.

The Springboks felt he might be vulnerable again and Carter's early gaffe gave them some momentum. But after that stutter, Carter was classy although the lack of quality set piece ball and Boks' tenacity inhibited his backline.

"They're a different team to most teams we come up against. They put you under pressure. They feed off our mistakes. In the past we've kept them in the game through mistakes."