Australia face the All Blacks in Sydney on Saturday in a game that will decide the destiny of this year's Tri Nations title.

WALKING WOUNDED
Winger Andrew Walker was the biggest worry for the Wallabies after waking up on Tuesday morning with tendonitis in his right knee. It would be a bit of a shame if Walker didn't make the field after he won a recall to the squad following his dumping for going AWOL before the Test against the Springboks in Perth. Queensland's Chris Latham will return to the side at wing if Walker is ruled out.
The All Blacks are fit and full of confidence. Wellington's Christian Cullen returns to the squad for the first time this season after knee surgery following the Super 12. Not a bad replacement to have sitting on the bench but it would always have been a tough task to knock Leon MacDonald out of the starting side at fullback after his top effort against the Springboks. Auckland speedster Doug Howlett loses his place in the squad for Cullen.

FORM
The Wallabies would love to string together a decent 80 minutes. They shown moments of brilliance during the Tri-Nations and against the Lions, but things just haven't clicked for a good game. On saying that, the Wallabies have still managed to win a Lions series and have a chance of winning the Tri-Nations despite not playing their best. As always, quick ball at the breakdown will be a key to the Wallaby game as will a dramatic improvement in the lineouts.

That old Black magic is back. It's taken awhile, but the All Blacks really hit their straps in the 26-15 win against the Springboks. They were ferocious at the breakdown, locks and flankers seemed to be everywhere in support and with such quick and clean presentation, Byron Kelleher and Andrew Mehrtens engineered a slick backline performance. Tana Umaga, in particular, thrived in the midfield.

WHO'S HOT
Wallaby flanker Owen Finegan had one of his best games of the season against the Springboks in Perth. His ball running was strong and he made a telling impact in defence.
And let's not forget veteran Wallaby hooker Michael Foley. All the build-up to Saturday has surrounded John Eales' retirement, but the gutsy Queensland hooker is also calling it a day after 46 Tests for Australia. In many a Wallaby front-row crisis, it was Foley who the selectors turned to. One of the game's deep thinkers and a coaching career beckons.

Byron Kelleher, Andrew Mehrtens, Troy Flavell, Chris Jack, Leon MacDonald ... do we need to go on. A couple of new faces here, a bit of positional tinkering there, and the All Blacks are looking particularly awesome.

WHO'S NOT
The lineout from both sides. The All Blacks showed some improvements against the Springboks in Auckland, but neither side can hardly be satisfied with the way things have gone during the Tri-Nations. Chris Jack made a significant impact for the All Blacks, and that's not to mention his general work around the field. The Wallabies have recalled David Giffin from a two-match suspension, preferring his experience over that of Brumbies team-mate Justin Harrison. You can bet plenty of time was spent at the Wallabies' Coffs Harbour base on the lineout, which was once one of their great strengths.

KEY MATCH-UPS
George Gregan v Byron Kelleher - Two niggly, little halfbacks going at it. You wouldn't find two more competitive players and the referee might want to protect his ears from the casual banter between the Guv and Byron.

Owen Finegan v Troy Flavell - Both players were close to their sides' best in their most recent outings on the side of the scrum. Flavell, in particular, responded superbly to a switch from the second-row and it makes you wonder what on earth selectors were thinking when they first picked him there.

Stephen Larkham v Andrew Mehrtens - The unpredictable Larkham really hasn't reached any great consistency this season, so perhaps he's due. Mehrtens has found consistency this season ... but on the bench. Got his chance last week and didn't disappoint.

Andrew Walker v Jonah Lomu - In some doubt with injury, but Walker would love another crack at Big Jonah on the wing. Another winger vastly outweighed by Lomu, but Walker's defence is strong and in attack will back himself against anyone. As always, Lomu poses a big threat to the Wallabies, but how scary would it be if he always played with Umaga-like commitment.

WE THINK
Traditionally these two sides go out and try to win the game, rather than focussing on stopping the other side from winning. It is difficult to see a repeat of last year's extraordinary 80 minutes at Stadium Australia, but we still reckon it will be a more exciting show than what the Tri-Nations have thrown up so far this year in terms of attack. There's no need to talk the game up - it's John Eales' final game; the Tri-Nations decider; Trans-Tasman rivalries; what a pity the Bledisloe Cup is not up for grabs either. For so long the All Blacks were seen as backyard bullies. But now the Wallabies are kicking sand in their faces and the Kiwis don't like it. Folks, it doesn't get any better than this. Wallabies by 10.

TEAMS
WALLABIES: 1 Nick Stiles, 2 Michael Foley, 3 Rod Moore, 4 David Giffin, 5 John Eales (c), 6 Owen Finegan, 7 George Smith, 8 Toutai Kefu, 9 George Gregan (v/c), 10 Stephen Larkham, 11 Joe Roff, 12 Nathan Grey, 13 Daniel Herbert, 14 Chris Latham/Andrew Walker, 15 Matthew Burke. RESERVES: 16 Brendan Cannon, 17 Ben Darwin, 18 Matt Cockbain, 19 Phil Waugh, 20 Chris Whitaker, 21 Elton Flatley, 22 TBC.

ALL BLACKS: 15 Leon MacDonald, 14 Jeff Wilson, 13 Tana Umaga, 12 Pita Alatini, 11 Jonah Lomu, 10 Andrew Mehrtens, 9 Byron Kelleher, 8 Ron Cribb, 7 Taine Randell, 6 Troy Flavell, 5 Chris Jack, 4 Norm Maxwell, 3 Greg Somerville, 2 Anton Oliver (captain), 1 Carl Hoeft. RESERVES: 16 Mark Hammett, 17 Carl Hayman, 18 Mark Cooksley, 19 Marty Holah, 20 Justin Marshall, 21 Tony Brown, 22 Christian Cullen.