New-look Wallabies on show

The Maori's clash against Australia in Perth tonight will offer an early peek at a new Wallaby side being built for next year's World Cup.

Not only are permanent positional and personnel changes in the wind, but coach Eddie Jones has called on his forwards to be more "brutal".

"We definitely need to be more physical in the forwards," said Jones. "As every side has identified, the way to beat Australia is through the forwards."

The Australians are also contemplating a more physical approach in the backs, although Jones is testing combinations. Their wings, centres and fullback tonight average a touch over 100kg - the sort of weight fine New Zealand forwards of yesteryear such as Ian Kirkpatrick, Allan Whetton and Steve McDowell played at. Their Maori opposites are about 9kg a man lighter.

The Australians are firm favourites although it is their opener while the Maori have had two warm-ups.

The Australians face questions over backline combinations. Daniel Herbert, Matt Burke and Stirling Mortlock are out of position in test terms, and Wendell Sailor is a rookie.

But the Maori are down on class and experience compared to the team that tested Australia in Sydney last year, when they lost 41-29. That is particularly so in the middle row where rookie locks Bryce Williams and Reece Robinson, and loose forwards Matua Parkinson and Jonno Gibbes replace Troy Flavell, Taine Randell, Norm Maxwell and Mark Cooksley. The Maori have also lost wing Roger Randle, their star try-scoring threat.

South African referee Andy Turner was the No 1 penalty giver in the Super 12.

Australia: Chris Latham, Wendell Sailor, Matthew Burke, Daniel Herbert, Stirling Mortlock, Elton Flatley, George Gregan (capt); Toutai Kefu, George Smith, Owen Finegan, Justin Harrison, Nathan Sharpe, Patricio Noriega, Jeremy Paul, Bill Young.

Res: Andrew Walker, Mat Rogers, Chris Whitaker; David Lyons, Matt Cockbain, Rod Moore, Brendan Cannon.

New Zealand Maori: Willie Walker, Rico Gear, Ryan Nicholas, Mark Mayerhofler, Bruce Reihana, Carlos Spencer, Rhys Duggan; Deon Muir (capt), Matua Parkinson, Jonno Gibbes, Reece Robinson, Bryce Williams, Carl Hayman, Slade McFarland, Greg Feek.

Res: Joe Maddock, Glen Jackson, Brendan Haami; Blair Urlich, Kristian Ormsby, Deacon Manu, Corey Flynn.

Kickoff: 9pm (NZ time).