All Blacks Coach Graham Henry and his Assistant Coaches Steve Hansen and Wayne Smith have named the All Blacks team to play the opening Investec Tri Nations - Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia at Eden Park, Auckland, this Saturday, 18 July.

1. Tony Woodcock 2. Andrew Hore 3. Neemia Tialata 4. Brad Thorn 5. Isaac Ross 6. Jerome Kaino 7. Richie McCaw - captain 8. Rodney So'oialo 9. Jimmy Cowan 10. Stephen Donald 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu 12. Ma'a Nonu 13. Conrad Smith 14. Cory Jane 15. Mils Muliaina

Reserves:

16. Keven Mealamu 17. Owen Franks 18. Jason Eaton 19. Kieran Read 20. Piri Weepu 21. Luke McAlister 22. Josevata Rokocoko

All Blacks Coach Graham Henry said, with Isaia Toeava the only All Blacks squad member unavailable because of injury, the All Blacks selectors were in the fortunate position of being able to make some real selection choices at key positions.

"There has been some genuine competition for positions which has been fantastic for the coaches and we have picked what we believe is the strongest team for this particular Test. It is a team with a huge amount of experience with 500 caps in the starting XV and that's crucial for what will be a huge Test to kick off the Investec Tri Nations."

Stephen Donald has recovered from his hamstring strain and will make his fifth Test start at first-five-eighths.

"We are pleased with the way that Stephen has developed since making his debut last year, he played well under difficult circumstances in the two Iveco Series French Tests this year and we believe that he is the right man for this Test match," Henry added.

Richie McCaw, who returns to the All Blacks starting XV together with Rodney So'oialo and Sitiveni Sivivatu, will captain the All Blacks in his 71st Test and 200th first-class game. He will be up against his old rival George Smith, who will be playing his 100th Test match. Meanwhile, Tony Woodcock will be looking forward to resuming his try-scoring feats - he has scored five tries against Australia in the last two years.

The All Blacks and Wallabies have played each other 156 times since 1903, with 106 wins to the All Blacks, 45 to Australia and five draws.

The All Blacks won the last Test between the two countries, 19 -14 in Hong Kong last November, and also beat Australia 39 - 10 in the last Test match at Eden Park in August last year, to extend their unbeaten record at Eden Park to 19 Tests since 1994.