Wallabies coach Robbie Deans believes New Zealand will play a more conservative game in Auckland on Saturday when the All Blacks will be boosted by two of his old Crusaders allies in Richie McCaw and Leon MacDonald.

Both nations announced their side on Tuesday, with Deans replacing injured blindside flanker Rocky Elsom with Phil Waugh and bringing back captain and outside centre Stirling Mortlock for Ryan Cross, following a recovery from a head knock.

Due to injury concerns, New Zealand coach Graham Henry bracketed five players - halfbacks Jimmy Cowan (knee), Andy Ellis (ribs) and Peri Weepu and two hookers, Andrew Hore (hip) and Keven Mealamu.

McCaw replaced Daniel Braid at openside flanker after recovering from a six week ankle injury, while MacDonald was recalled at fullback with Mils Muliaina shifted from that position to the wing in place of Anthony Tuitavake.

Henry's other change to his starting side was the recall of Conrad Smith for Richard Kahui at outside centre.

"They will probably bring a slightly more percentage approach, they will look to return kicks with kicks and possibly contest a little bit more in the air," Deans said.

Wallabies five-eighth Matt Giteau also expected New Zealand's revamped backline to rely more on the boot than they did in last weekend's 34-19 loss to Australia in Sydney.

"Bringing Leon back shows that they are looking to kick I think a little bit more and play a little bit more field position," Giteau said.

Like McCaw, MacDonald was a key component of Dean's multi Super 14 title-winning teams.

"Leon is a very experienced player, he provides a lot of voice, he's a good organiser," Deans said, adding he expected New Zealand to be "desperate" after losing successive Tri-Nations matches.

He denied McCaw's return was his primary reason for including a second specialist openside flanker and specialist ball pilferer in Waugh to lineup alongside Smith.

He was adamant Elsom's absence, rather than McCaw's return, was the pivotal reason for Waugh's promotion from the bench.

Waugh said he hadn't played much at blindside flanker, but doubted it would make much difference to his usual style.

"George (Smith) and myself will interchange depending on the situation on the field," Waugh said.

Deans was well aware of the need to nullify McCaw's legendary scavenging ability at the breakdown.

"He (McCaw) is a player who is capable of impacting upon a game significantly if you allow him to, so we will attempt to deny him that," Deans said.

Asked how he intended to go about that, Deans said: "Be wise in the way we structure our attack, be accurate in the way we execute that attack, because he will prey on poor technique, whether it be in the carry or in the support roles.

"If you are inaccurate or flawed in your technique, he becomes like a rock in the river, if you like, an obstruction."

Teams:

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.

New Zealand: Leon MacDonald, Mils Muliaina, Conrad Smith, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan/Piri Weepu/Andrew Ellis, Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw (capt), Jerome Kaino, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore/Keven Mealamu, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Hore/Mealumu, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Adam Thomson/Daniel Braid, Cowan/Weepu/Ellis, Stephen Donald, Richard Kahui.

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