Wallabies hooker Stephen Moore has backed an underdone Wycliff Palu to thrive in Saturday's Tri-Nations opener as Australia attempt to end their 23-year Eden Park hoodoo.

Coach Robbie Deans is expected to rush bullocking No.8 Palu back into his pack for the Bledisloe Cup clash against the All Blacks in Auckland.

With the team to be named Tuesday, the big Tongan jumped in lineout work at training on Monday in a pointer he will start and the workaholic Richard Brown, who has admirably filled Palu's shoes while sidelined, will move to blind-side flanker.

Palu's NSW teammate Dean Mumm looks set to make way as Deans opts for extra mobility, thrust and breakdown tenacity to compete with the Richie McCaw-led New Zealanders.

Palu has just two club appearances under his belt in his return from a broken hand and was rested from playing for Manly on the weekend.

Moore felt Australia's three selectors couldn't go wrong as they approach the welcome dilemma, and believed Palu would take a leaf out of McCaw's book.

The All Blacks skipper was a stand-out in last year's Eden Park encounter, his first game back from injury to lead his team to a 39-10 thumping. Once again McCaw will be picked despite just 45 minutes of Canterbury club rugby after seven weeks off with a knee problem.

"Cliffy hasn't played too much footy but you run on that much emotion and adrenalin it doesn't really matter," Moore said.

"You'll see that with Richie McCaw, he hasn't played too much footy but he'll certainly be in the thick of it on Saturday night.

"With Cliffy coming back, he had a strong season with the Waratahs before he got injured so it's a great situation for us to be in."

There are much bigger concerns and question marks over the All Blacks line-up with NZ coach Graham Henry postponing his team announcement a day until Wednesday.

Injured Chiefs playmaker Stephen Donald (hamstring) has suddenly come back into the picture due to the increasing doubts over Luke McAlister's stability at five-eighth, plus a back complaint.

McCaw will be one of at least four changes to the All Blacks pack struggled to overcome lowly Italy in their last start three weeks ago.

But Moore said the return of "some familiar faces" ensured the Kiwis, maligned by their home press, will be as tough as ever.

"We're under no illusions as to what the challenge is going to be," he said.

"Richie is their talisman and their leader and he always plays well in these games so we know we need to play well and impose ourselves to beat them."

The Wallabies last won in Auckland under Alan Jones in 1986, have lost their last 10 Bledisloe Tests there, including five in the last six years.

"As far as hoodoos go this is one we haven't ticked off and one we have really to put right for the future," said Moore, who believes the All Blacks are more desperate at their "spiritual home".

"You could see it in all their players (last year), they were just desperate to win and we've got to match that and beat that if we're going to be successful."

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