Carter in action during an All Blacks training session earlier this week © Getty Images

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Players/Officials: Dan Carter | Robbie Deans | Matt Giteau | Sir Graham Henry | Piri Weepu

Tournaments/Tours: Tri Nations

Teams: New Zealand

Daniel Carter has been recalled by the All Blacks for next weekend's clash with Australia but Piri Weepu has been ruled out with injury.

The talismanic fly-half was predictably named in the 26-man squad for the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup showdown after safely negotiating two matches for Canterbury following a six-month layoff after rupturing his Achilles tendon. However scrum-half Weepu will not make the trip having rolled an ankle in Auckland last week.

Carter is in line to reclaim the All Blacks' No.10 shirt from Stephen Donald with coach Graham Henry hoping that the 27-year-old had snap the side out of their recent lull that has seen them lose back-to-back matches against South Africa.

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans was braced for Carter's return, saying in recent days it was good for the game and would lift his side, but insisted they weren't losing sleep over the opposition.

"It doesn't concern us greatly but the fact that they've included him suggests they will use him," Deans said. "I'd certainly expect him to be in the 22, whether he starts or not, they'll make that decision... (but) it won't affect our preparation."

Carter's opposite, Matt Giteau, also welcomed the likely return of the player he labelled the best No.10 in world rugby.

"I'm sure he will have a huge influence for them," Giteau said on Friday. "For whoever is the five-eighth, for me individually it is a big challenge and certainly one that I welcome, you enjoy playing the best."

In Weepu's absence, Jimmy Cowan and Brendon Leonard are the options at scrum-half while Tamati Ellison remains as backs cover.

Prop Neemia Tialata was omitted after playing for Wellington B yesterday, with Canterbury's Wyatt Crockett included as the fourth prop alongside Owen Franks, Tony Woodcock and John Afoa.

All who played for their provinces at the weekend, including Auckland trio Afoa, Jerome Kaino and Joe Rokocoko, were cleared to travel, with the latter scoring a confidence-boosting two tries against Northland yesterday.

Deans was predicting a typical high-octane encounter between the trans-Tasman rivals after their South African defeats. An All Blacks victory will ensure they retain the Bledisloe Cup for another year, having last taken possession of it in 2003.

"The All Blacks did well out of their kicking game against us at Eden Park so I imagine they'd retain elements of that. But they do tend to play a lot with the ball in hand," Deans said. "The circumstances are such that both sides won't hold anything back so it makes for a pretty good contest."

Both sides train in Sydney tomorrow and will confirm their starting teams on Tuesday, with Wallabies utility Adam Ashley-Cooper favoured to replace injured skipper Stirling Mortlock at centre.

All Blacks squad: John Afoa, Daniel Carter, Jimmy Cowan, Wyatt Crockett, Aled de Malmanche, Stephen Donald, Jason Eaton, Tamati Ellison, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Cory Jane, Jerome Kaino, Tanerau Latimer, Brendon Leonard, Luke McAlister, Richie McCaw, Mils Muliaina, Ma'a Nonu, Kieran Read, Josevata Rokocoko, Isaac Ross, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Conrad Smith, Rodney So'oialo, Brad Thorn and Tony Woodcock.