Wallabies Mark Gerrard and Al Campbell have both been promoted to the Australia A run on side for the Pacific Nations Cup decider against New Zealand Maori on Sunday but Test utility back Sam Norton-Knight has been forced to settle for a bench spot.

Utility back Gerrard was elevated to the starting side following a strong return from a shoulder injury off the bench in last weekend's 50-13 rout of Fiji.

Campbell, who was brought in from outside the A squad, replaced Van Humphries with Wallabies second rower Mark Chisholm still unavailable due to a virus.

Coach Phil Mooney also recalled Wallabies halfback Brett Sheehan in place of young Queenslander Ben Lucas.

Mooney made a couple of positional changes to cover the elevation to the Test team of No.8 Stephen Hoiles and winger Lachie Turner.

He moved Drew Mitchell from fullback to wing, put Gerrard at the back, shifted Richard Brown to No.8 and brought in Julian Salvi at openside flanker.

The coach opted to retain Daniel Halangahu at five-eighth ahead of his Waratahs team mate and Test representative Norton-Knight.

"Hangers (Halangahu) played very well last week and controlled the game well and his goal kicking was very good also," Mooney said.

"Sam has done well at two positions (five-eighth and fullback). Daniel's control was pretty good and we think that will probably stand us in pretty good stead on Sunday.

Mooney said Sunday's game at the Sydney Football Stadium represented a step up for his side following their recent floggings of Tonga and Fiji.

He had no qualms about his players being able to lift for the game against the competition's only other unbeaten team.

Both sides have won their first four games, but Australia A enters this weekend's final round leading the six-team tournament by a couple of additional bonus points.

Mooney said the Maoris possessed a number of threats including a strong set piece and some dangerous ball runners.

"I think their lineout is good with (Jason) Eaton and (Ross) Filipo and one thing about any New Zealand team, they've always got good ball runners that challenge you one-on-one," Mooney said.

While some of the island nations have been on the wrong end of lop-sided scorelines and fielded understrength teams, Mooney defended the PNC competition.

"A lot of their professionals are making their trade overseas and there are still competitions going on so it's difficult to be released from those, but it's definitely given their younger guys an opportunity and there's some really good talent emerging," Mooney said.

"That is what the competition is about, developing depth for them and exposing them to higher level footy, so I think it certainly achieved its outcome there."

Australia A: Mark Gerrard, Drew Mitchell, Morgan Turinui, Timana Tahu, Digby Ioane, Daniel Halangahu, Brett Sheehan; Richard Brown, Julian Salvi, Hugh McMeniman, Peter Kimlin, Al Campbell, Guy Shepherdson, Sean Hardman, Sekope Kepu. Res: John Ulugia, Salesi Ma'afu, Van Humphries, Leroy Houston, Ben Lucas, Sam Norton-Knight, Matt Carraro.

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