Wallabies flanker George Smith will earn his 100th cap against the All Blacks in Auckland © Getty Images

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Matches: New Zealand 22 - 16 Australia

Tournaments/Tours: Tri Nations

Teams: Australia | New Zealand

The All Blacks kick off the defence of their Tri-Nations crown against old foes Australia at Eden Park on Saturday with the pressure on them to rediscover their best form.

New Zealand have dominated the southern hemisphere's premier competition in recent years with four straight victories but they were far from their all-conquering best against France and Italy last month and now face an fast-improving Australia side intent on ending their own Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup drought.

The absence of key figures like captain Richie McCaw, Ali Williams, Rodney So'oialo, Andrew Hore and Sitiveni Sivivatu went some way to explaining the All Blacks' recent disappointing displays and the timely return to fitness of some of those names ahead of their latest tilt at the Tri-Nations will be warmly welcomed by coach Graham Henry.

However, question marks remain about their strength in depth with cover at fly-half for long-term casualty Dan Carter their main concern. Stephen Donald will fill the famous No.10 shirt on Saturday but he will be hard-pressed to contain the in-form Wallabies pivot Matt Giteau.

The Brumbies-bound star was in spectacular form as Australia despatched the same Six Nations opposition that troubled New Zealand and he will no doubt be a key figure for the Wallabies in the coming weeks. He will be the lynch-pin in an exciting backline that also features Berrick Barnes at inside centre, Lachie Turner and Drew Mitchell on the wings and ever-impressive captain Stirling Mortlock at outside centre.

The Wallabies, who are themselves some way from the finished article, are braced for a fierce battle at the breakdown and have stacked their squad accordingly - with reinforcements on the bench - and a lot will rest on the shoulders of openside George Smith on the occasion of his 100th Test appearance.

In addition to a bolstered All Blacks line-up, Australia must also combat the weight of history. The Wallabies have won just once in Auckland in their last 11 attempts with that success coming way back in 1986 but they are not alone in their Eden Park woes.

The stadium has become a fortress for the All Blacks in recent years and they are unbeaten their since Jean-Luc Sadourny's `try from the end of the world' propelled France to a stunning victory in 1994. But their impressive record goes further than that with the defeat to France and a draw with South Africa the only blemishes from their last 32 Test encounters at the ground.

Australia arrived in Auckland last year fresh from a moral-boosting thrashing of their rivals in Sydney but the All Blacks, boosted by the return from injury of McCaw, bounced back with an emphatic victory of their own. Coach Robbie Deans and co will be hoping that the return of the hosts' talismanic skipper does not have a similar galvanising effect.

The coaches were very much the focus ahead of the corresponding clash last year with Henry the man under pressure on the back of two successive defeats but despite New Zealand's faltering form it is arguably Deans who finds himself under more pressure this time around. While Henry can sit comfortably having put pen to paper on a new contract extension that will see him lead New Zealand into the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the honeymoon period is over for the former Crusaders coach Deans.

His side have suffered three straight defeats at the hands of the All Blacks since that memorable night in Sydney - as well as losses to South Africa and Wales - and critics suggest it is time he offered some concrete evidence of improvement having had a year to mould his squad to his liking. The Wallabies were found wanting in terms of fitness and self-belief last year and similar shortcomings will only illustrate that they have not learnt from last year's humiliation.

Saturday's clash will also double as the first of four scheduled Bledisloe Cup clashes - with the last money-spinning match set for Tokyo - and Australia need three victories to break New Zealand's six-year grip on the super-sized silverware. A tough ask for any side although not one beyond this current crop of Wallabies.

To achieve that first crucial victory, Australia will need to raise their game significantly against an All Blacks side that will be vastly improved. The likes of McCaw may well be short of game time but what he may lack in the tank will be countered by his physical presence and assured leadership.

Another substandard performance from New Zealand will have the scribes sharpening their quills for Henry but the presence of his key personnel and their formidable Eden Park record should see them deliver the latest blow to the Wallabies' aspirations.

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Stephen Donald, Jimmy Cowan, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (captain), Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Neemia Tialata, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.

Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Owen Franks, Jason Eaton, Kieran Read, Piri Weepu, Luke McAlister, Joe Rokocoko.

Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Lachie Turner, 13. Stirling Mortlock (captain), Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Richard Brown, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson

Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, Dean Mumm, Phil Waugh, David Pocock, Will Genia, James O'Connor

Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)

Assistant referees: M Jonker, C Wessels
Television Match Official: S Veldsman