The Wallabies will hope that the change in scenery will bring about a similar change of fortune and see them avoid a whitewash in the fourth and final Bledisloe Cup match against the All Blacks in Hong Kong on Saturday.

10:25 – 12:40   Supersport 6             Bledisloe Cup New Zealand v Australia

It seems quite strange that these two neighbours travel halfway across the globe to challenge each other in front of foreign crowds, but this is a sign of the times.

Tapping into the thus far neglected rugby market in the Far East can bring about great financial reward. For this to happen though, the rugby will have to be of a high quality to capture the imagination of potential new supporters of the game.

Whilst it might be a touch optimistic to think that Robbie Deans and Graham Henry have the entertainment of the crowd as their primary concern, both will certainly be keen to triumph.

Deans desperately needs a win over the All Blacks to ease the pressure on him as the murmurs around the future of the New Zealand-born coach gets louder with every loss.

Henry on the other hand will look to keep the momentum going in the run up to the all-important home World Cup while both coaches will also be eager to get their end-of-year tours off to the perfect start.

Jimmy Cowan and Dan Carter forms an all-new halfback combination for the number one ranked team in the world and Jerome Kaino and Joe Rokocoko are also handed starting berth. The uncapped Hikawera Elliot, Daniel Braid, Alby Mathewson, Stephen Donald and Isaia Toeava have all been called up to the bench.

Australia also have a familiar look to their team. The Wallabies will once again look to Quade Cooper to spark some magic at flyhalf. The backline will be all the more dangerous if Matt Giteau can ignite in Hong Kong after being somewhat quiet and slightly off his best during the Tri-Nations.

Up front though is where the Aussies have struggled and Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, Stephen Moore and his props will have to fight fire with fire if the men in gold and green are to turn the tables on the All Blacks.

Expect the Kiwi pack to be physical and dominating up front, led by their inspirational leader Richie McCaw. Then when the likes of Brad Thorn, Keven Mealamu and Kaino have softened up the opposition up front, Carter will spring his orchestra into action like the master conductor that he is.

Key Battle: Dan Carter v Quade Cooper. Cooper  challenges the returning Carter for the title for the best flyhalf in the game today. It will be an electric affair.

All Blacks:

15 Mils Muliaina, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma’a Nonu, 11 Josevata Rokocoko, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Jimmy Cowan, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (captain), 6 Jerome Kaino, 5 Tom Donnelly, 4 Brad Thorn, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Hikawera Elliot, 17 John Afoa, 18 Samuel Whitelock, 19 Daniel Braid, 20 Alby Mathewson, 21 Stephen Donald, 22 Isaia Toeava.

Australia:

15. Kurtley Beale, 14. James O’Connor, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12. Matt Giteau, 11. Drew Mitchell, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia, 8. Ben McCalman, 7. David Pocock, 6. Rocky Elsom (captain), 5. Nathan Sharpe, 4. Mark Chisholm, 3. Ben Alexander, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Benn Robinson

Replacements: 16. Saia Faingaa, 17. James Slipper, 18. Dean Mumm, 19. Richard Brown, 20. Luke Burgess, 21. Berrick Barnes, 22. Lachie Turner