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Last Updated: Wednesday, 26 July 2006, 02:59 GMT 03:59 UK
Australia recall Blake to face NZ
Rodney Blake
Blake will win his third Test cap
Australia have handed a recall to inexperienced prop Rodney Blake, 23, for Saturday's Tri-Nations match against New Zealand in Brisbane.

Blake replaces Guy Shepherdson in the only change to the side that thrashed South Africa 49-0 on 15 July.

Hooker Tai McIsaac returns to the bench after recovering from a rib injury.

Australia coach John Connolly said: "New Zealand pose a very big challenge for us. There is no doubt they are the benchmark in world rugby right now."

The All Blacks have made seven changes from the side which destroyed South Africa as Graham Henry returns to his first-choice team.

It's going to put pressure on me saying I'm the only guy who can make a difference
Wallaby prop Rodney Blake

And Connolly was fulsome in his praise for the All Blacks, saying "they have incredible depth".

Australia were out-scrummaged in the first encounter by the All Blacks and Blake warned he could not solve the Wallabies' problems up front on his own.

"It's going to put pressure on me, saying I'm the only guy who can make a difference," said Blake, who at 20st 7lb (130kg) is the heaviest rugby player to ever represent Australia.

"I'm just another player coming into the team through selection and I've just got to do what I have to do on the field."

Blake predicted "World War III" and said all eight players in the Australian scrum needed to work together against the All Blacks.

Connolly has named a nine-man bench, which he will reduce to seven after Friday's final training session.

Scrum-half George Gregan will captain the side for the 55th time to equal John Eales' record.

He will also extend his world record for caps to 124.

The All Blacks will also retain the Bledisloe Cup if they win on Saturday, while an Australia win would set up a decider in Auckland next month.


Australia: Chris Latham, Mark Gerrard, Stirling Mortlock, Matt Giteau, Lote Tuqiri, Stephen Larkham, George Gregan (capt); Greg Holmes, Jeremy Paul, Rodney Blake, Nathan Sharpe, Dan Vickerman, Rocky Elsom, George Smith, Scott Fava.
Replacements (to be reduced to seven): Tai McIsaac, Al Baxter, Guy Shepherdson, Mark Chisholm, Phil Waugh, Wycliff Palu, Sam Cordingley, Mat Rogers, Clyde Rathbone.



Tri-Nations Series Table
Saturday, 11 September 2010 13:05 UK
 TeamPPDPTS
1New Zealand67327
2Australia6-2611
3South Africa6-477

SEE ALSO
All Blacks make sweeping changes
25 Jul 06 |  Internationals
New Zealand 35-17 South Africa
22 Jul 06 |  Internationals
Australia 49-0 South Africa
15 Jul 06 |  Internationals
New Zealand 32-12 Australia
08 Jul 06 |  Internationals


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