Flanker George Smith will lead the Wallabies against New Zealand © Getty Images

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Matches: Australia 34 - 19 New Zealand

George Smith will lead a Wallabies starting XV that features just one change for Saturday night's Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Sydney.

Smith has taken over the captaincy for the Bundaberg Rum Rugby Series match after regular custodian Stirling Mortlock was ruled out yesterday due to the effects of the head knock he sustained last weekend against South Africa.

Smith, who turned 28 last week, has been captain of his country on one previous occasion. He became Australia's 75th Test captain when he led the Qantas Wallabies to victory over Canada at Bordeaux during last year's Rugby World Cup.

Mortlock's absence opens the way for the Sydney-raised Western Force-centre Ryan Cross to make his full run on debut.

The 28-year-old previously came from the reserves bench in the first three Test appearances of his career to date, earlier in the season against France and then South Africa.

Cross scored two tries in the second of these matches, which was against France at Brisbane.

While his presence represents the only change from the starting XV which opened this year's Tri-Nations series with a gritty 16-9 win over South Africa in Perth last Saturday, there are also two alterations to the Australian bench.

The Cross promotion has allowed for the entry of Timana Tahu into the Test squad after his strong form for Australia A in recent the Pacific Nations Cup.

This won him a place in the Qantas Wallabies squad for the Tri-Nations. He will now become the 827th player to have appeared for Australia in Tests should he be required to strip for duty in the match.

The other new inclusion is the NSW Waratahs lock Daniel Vickerman. Selection for Vickerman on the bench completes the 29-year-old's return from an ankle injury which has kept him sidelined since the Investec Super 14 final at the end of May.

Vickerman takes the place of Hugh McMeniman among the run on reserves after safely negotiating his way through two club matches with Sydney University in recent weeks.

As has been the Qantas Wallabies' practice since the arrival of Robbie Deans as national coach, the players in the Tri-Nations squad who are fully fit and not required for national duty this weekend have been released for club rugby.

Saturday night's match is the first trans-Tasman Test to have been played in Sydney since 2005.

It will also represent the maiden Bledisloe Cup experience for eight members of the Wallabies side named today.

Hopes that All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw would return from an ankle injury to lead his side in Sydeny were dashed mid-week.

The inspirational flanker was originally bracketed with Daniel Braid at openside flanker and rated a 50 percent chance of playing by coach Graham Henry, depending on further recovery results.

However, after a month of inactivity, McCaw was not able to prove his fitness for the eagerly-anticipated clash.

As a result Braid gets the nod - having not tasted Test rugby since the 2003 World Cup where 13 minutes against Canada and 54 minutes against Tonga were his lot - and will claim his fourth cap.

There are a total of five changes from the starting team who lost 28-30 to South Africa in Dunedin on July 12.

Braid will replace Adam Thomson, Brad Thorn returns from suspension for lock Anthony Boric while veteran Greg Somerville replaces tighthead prop John Afoa.

In the backs, centre Richard Kahui will play in place of Conrad Smith while winger Anthony Tuitavake replaces Rudi Wulf, shifting Sitiveni Sivivatu from the right to left wing.

Of those changes, the axing of Smith is most contentious as he is enjoying a rich vein of form.

Kahui will play just his second test, dredging memories of the leadup to last year's Bledisloe Cup test in Melbourne when Luke McAlister was named out of position at centre.

He was embarrassed defensively by Wallabies veteran Stirling Mortlock as the hosts won 20-15.

Assistant coach Wayne Smith based his confidence in Kahui on the 23-year-old's bright display form on debut in the second test against England last month.

"It wasn't any lack of form from Conrad, I can tell you that," Wayne Smith said.

"They're both pretty young centres. Richard's played against (Mortlock) at Super 14 level. He plays with a lot of edge. We just feel for this game, this opposition on this track, he's the right selection."

Conrad Smith has at least made it on to the reserves, with Leon MacDonald not considered for the bench as he is "pretty battered and bruised", according to Henry.

The only other injury issue surrounds ongoing ankle pain for lock Ali Williams although Henry said he was feeling better this week than in the leadup to the two South African tests.

Meanwhile, Henry defended his team's decision to build up for the test in Wellington until Thursday, saying it was made a year ago with the aim of keeping the players at home longer.

"They're travelling a lot and they're overseas a lot so it gives the Wellington boys an opportunity to be at home and it reflects what the Super 14 boys do too. They're used to going on the Thursday to play on the Saturday," Henry said.

The All Blacks had traditionally travelled to Australia early in test week but often found logistics such as the quality and proximity of practice facilities did not match what was available at home.

The team trained in cold, wet conditions today, evoking a wry smile from Henry.

"After today's training I thought it might have been pretty good to be in Sydney. It was mentioned by a number of the players."

Australia: Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Ryan Cross, Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith (captain), Rocky Elsom, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Daniel Vickerman, Phil Waugh, Sam Cordingley, Timana Tahu, Drew Mitchell.

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Anthony Tuitavake, Richard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Daniel Braid/Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Conrad Smith

Kick-off: 20.05 (10.05 GMT)

Referee: Craig Joubert (SA)

Touch judges: Mark Lawrence, James Bolabiu

TMO: Shaun Veldsman