Captain Stirling Mortlock and flanker Phil Waugh were today recalled to the Wallabies starting XV for Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup rugby Test against the All Blacks in Auckland.

Mortlock returns at outside centre in place of Ryan Cross after recovering from concussion which ruled him out of the Wallabies' 34-19 win over the All Blacks in Sydney last Saturday.

Waugh was elevated from the bench to the No 6 jersey in place of Rocky Elsom, who was ruled out with a ligament strain in his foot.

He will combine with George Smith to form an imposing flanker combination against returning All Blacks captain Richie McCaw.

"They're two quality players, it's good to get both of them on the ground," coach Robbie Deans said.

Mortlock and Waugh are the only changes to Deans' run-on side, chasing their first win in Auckland in 22 years.

Hugh McMeniman, who missed last week's squad altogether, takes Waugh's place on the reserves bench, while utility back Timana Tahu drops out after making his Test debut on Saturday.

Tahu will still travel to Auckland as the team's 23rd man.

Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Peter Hynes, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Berrick Barnes, Lote Tuqiri, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Wycliff Palu, George Smith, Phil Waugh, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Reserves: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Matt Dunning, Dan Vickerman, Hugh McMeniman, Sam Cordingley, Ryan Cross, Drew Mitchell.

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