Wallabies captain Stirling Mortlock has predicted the All Blacks would try and bash his side in Auckland on Saturday in a bid to end their losing streak.

Successive Tri-Nations losses to South Africa and Australia have ratcheted the pressure up on the All Blacks and their coach Graham Henry, who retained his position ahead of compatriot Robbie Deans, who subsequently landed the Wallabies post.

Deans has started his tenure with five straight victories at home but acknowledged his charges faced their toughest test yet on Saturday.

New Zealand haven't lost at Eden Park since 1994 and the last time the Wallabies lowered their colours at that venue was in 1986.

Mortlock, who has declared himself fit to play on the weekend after missing last Saturday's 34-19 victory over New Zealand in Sydney with a head knock, was anticipating a fiery response from New Zealand on Saturday night.

"They will be going out with a massively positive mindset this weekend, there's no doubt about that," Mortlock said.

"The fact that we did beat them is going to make them come bull at a gate, probably wanting to bash us."

He predicted an "extremely, unbelievably tough game" for the Wallabies on Saturday.

"I've been over there (to New Zealand) a number of times and there's always a common theme with playing them over there, they are always arm wrestles and extremely tight," Mortlock said.

"I think the group state that we are in mentally at the moment, it would be to go over there with a real positive mindset.

"It's a great challenge and one that is going to be extremely difficult but one that we are looking forward to."

While there are mental hurdles the Wallabies need to leap in beating New Zealand away for the first time in seven years, Mortlock insists overcoming the fatigue factor will be just as important.

"It's an interesting challenge for us as well because it's our third week in a row of playing unbelievably intense Test matches," Mortlock said.

"We've got to get the mix right, the balance right at training and make sure we get that right physically, also get mentally right for what the atmosphere and the reception will be like on game day at Eden Park."

Mortlock praised the defensive efforts of the blossoming midfield combination of five-eighth Matt Giteau and inside centre Berrick Barnes.

"Gits and Berrick as a combination have just been growing and in particular there were question marks asked about their defence," Mortlock said.

"Everyone knows they are both among the best defenders in the game and they are actually statistically making me look bad."

The balance of backrow power could possibly shift to New Zealand this week with Wallabies blindside flanker Rocky Elsom sidelined with a foot injury and inspirational All Blacks captain and flanker Richie McCaw tipped to return from injury.

Elsom, who hoped to miss just the one game with his ligament strain, predicted an even bigger battle at the breakdown this weekend.

"I think it will be a new challenge this week if Richie (McCaw) comes back, and you would think they are going to push it as hard as they can to get him back, they are going to want to get a lot of that turnover ball that they didn't get last game," Elsom said.

"I think that is some of the most potent attacking ball so they probably see that as an area they can really pick up and will help them to win the match.

"I think the battle at the breakdown will be much bigger because he's there, but also if he's not there, just because that will still probably be their focus."

Brought to you by AAP © 2024 AAP