Wallabies backs coach Scott Johnson believes the All Blacks' amazing depth is a double-edged sword which has already helped Australia in the Tri-Nations.

Johnson likens New Zealand's "embarrassment of riches" as their greatest strength but also their biggest curse.

Whereas Australia are scratching to have able back-ups in each backline position, the All Blacks selectors have failed to settle on their best combinations just two Tests before the World Cup.

"With great depth also comes issues of selection and combinations," Johnson said.

"In many ways they have an embarrassment of riches.

"It has its benefits but it also has its weaknesses really because you are splitting hairs and you have got to get combinations as well."

The Wallabies attack guru's comments ring true after the defending Tri-Nations champions selected their 23rd different centre combination in as many Tests for Saturday's clash against South Africa in Christchurch.

NZ coach Graham Henry has dumped Aaron Mauger from No.12 after his disappointing game in the 20-15 MCG loss to Australia, shifted Luke McAlister in one position and recalled Isaia Toeava at outside-centre.

The late selection of McAlister in the All Blacks' problematic position at No.13 gave the Wallabies, specifically skipper Stirling Mortlock, a clear channel to attack for their first Trans-Tasman win since 2004.

Heading into the World Cup, kicking off on September 7, first-choice Toeava still hasn't nailed down the crucial defensive position.

He suffered a shoulder injury in NZ's Tri-Nations opener in Durban last month and was replaced by Mils Muliaina for Melbourne but Muliaina was a late switch to fullback when Leon Macdonald broke down.

With McAlister out of position at outside-centre, Mortlock cut loose, and set up the match-winning try by brushing off the classy Aucklander.

Johnson admitted Macdonald's late injury didn't help the All Blacks and knows they still have a number of quality options to pick to play in the Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup decider against the Wallabies in Auckland.

Hurricanes skipper Conrad Smith, on the comeback trail from injury, was named on the bench against the Springboks and could start at Eden Park.

"Whoever they pick will be quality, the 12s they have to pick from and the 13s they have to pick from, that is an embarrassment of riches," Johnson said.

But the combination problem continues a four-yearly cycle for NZ, with Macdonald converted to No.13 when they crashed out to Australia in 2003.

In 1999, it was Christian Cullen who was forced to make a foolhardy switch from fullback to No.13 to accommodate Tana Umaga, Jonah Lomu and Jeff Wilson in the back three.

Meantime, rugby union has its foot back in the door to be readmitted to the Olympic Games following the strangest of moves overnight.

Rugby, along with racquetball, was added to the list of 36 sports that will be played in the 2011 Pan American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico.

It prompted International Olympic Committee president Jacques Rogge, who played rugby for Belgium, saying the code's addition opens the doors for the sport in a future Olympics.

"It's closer than ever," he told Associated Press.

The International Rugby Board had their hopes of rugby sevens being included in the 2012 London Olympics dashed two years ago.

Rugby, last played at the Olympics in 1924, faces difficulty in being readmitted as the IOC is looking to downsize the number of team sports after cutting baseball and softball.

Of the many North, Central and South American nations, only Argentina, Uruguay, Canada and the United States have qualified for the Rugby World Cup.

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