Smith will earn his 48th cap against the Wallabies on Saturday © Getty Images

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All Blacks centre Conrad Smith is an anticipating a typically high octane Test against rivals Australia on Saturday.

The lead-up to Saturday's match against Australia at Eden Park has featured something of a war of words, with Wallabies fullback Kurtley Beale saying his team fears nobody and All Blacks assistant coach Steve Hansen saying the Wallabies probably didn't respect them.

But Smith - who will play a record-breaking 29th match alongside Ma'a Nonu in the All Blacks midfield on Saturday - says there's always been an edge to All Blacks-Wallabies matches he's played in.

"I can think of a number of games where there's been a big edge, such as over the coaching issue when Robbie Deans went over," Smith said. "It always seems the biggest game of your life seems to be the next one against the Aussies."

Adding to the anticipation on Saturday is the Reds' victory over the Crusaders in the Super Rugby final, and the fact the Wallabies won the last match between the two teams - in Hong Kong last year - following a string of defeats.

"They're never short of confidence, but they've got the form to back it up. They're a massive threat and it keeps us on edge, so I don't think it's a bad thing," Smith said. "Any All Blacks loss is pretty annoying. Fortunately we haven't had a whole lot, but every time you lose, and I think of when South Africa piled three on us, it was something that didn't sit easily with us for a whole summer and more.

"They're never nice but I think they get the best out of us sometimes so it can be good."

Smith said he didn't realise he and Nonu were on the verge of a midfield partnership record but said he was honoured they were taking the record. He said Nonu had played a big part in improving his game.

"When he played his 100th game for the Hurricanes earlier this year I presented a ring to him on behalf of the team and said to him how much he'd helped me, and hopefully I'd helped him a little bit," he said. "I felt I owed a lot to him, and I suppose a few other individuals like Tana (Umaga) at the Hurricanes, that had brought out the best in me."

In choosing Smith and Nonu in the All Blacks midfield coach Graham Henry resisted the temptation to give Sonny Bill Williams a start for the first time this season, keeping the league convert on the bench. However, he said Williams would get a start before the Tri-Nations series finishes.

"Conrad and Ma'a haven't played a lot of footy this season, particularly Conrad, and Sonny Bill's had a big Super 15 and done a bit of boxing," Henry said. "It's good to give him a bit of space, so he'll get an opportunity to start shortly."

Seven changes were made to the All Blacks side that swept aside an under-strength South Africa 40-7 last weekend. Five of them are making their first Test appearances this year - prop Owen Franks, hooker Keven Mealamu, lock Brad Thorn, No.8 Kieran Read and wing Hosea Gear. The other changes see halfback Piri Weepu gain his first start of the season and Sitiveni Sivivatu playing on the right wing.