The All Blacks have the support of Springboks rugby captain Corne Krige in this weekend's Bledisloe Cup rugby showdown, but he warned that Australia could still pose a threat.

Krige was at the helm of a much-improved South African performance in the 11-19 loss to New Zealand at Carisbrook in Dunedin on Saturday night.

He suggested that if his side could turn around so much from their 16-52 humiliation by the All Blacks at Pretoria last month, then the Wallabies had could do the same from their 21-50 hiding at Sydney.

While satisfied New Zealand are deserved Tri-Nations champions for the second year running and fifth time in eight years, Krige said recent Bledisloe Cup history was a hurdle to clear.

"The All Blacks have shown by winning two games away from home by such big margins that they deserve the Tri-Nations and the Bledisloe as well," he said.

"Australia are shrewd and they've had the better of New Zealand over the last few years. New Zealand will just have to keep their heads together."

There was no question who Krige hoped won the clash at Eden Park. He was still bitter at the Wallabies for what he believed were over-the-top allegations of brutality against the Springboks after last week's test in Brisbane.

"After what happened last week, I think you know who we might be cheering for," he said.

Comments from flanker Marty Holah, one of the liveliest All Blacks on a freezing Dunedin night, suggested he and his teammates were preparing for an improved Australian outfit, in what shapes as one of the biggest tests of the year outside the World Cup.

"The Aussies are a pretty professional side. I guess they'll be planning a long way ahead for this," Holah said.

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