Old heads back for the Aussies

Captain Stirling Mortlock and flanker Phil Waugh have been recalled to the Australia starting 15 for Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup and Tri-nations match against New Zealand in Auckland.

Captain Stirling Mortlock and flanker Phil Waugh have been recalled to the Australia starting 15 for Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup and Tri-nations match against New Zealand 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, while Waugh replaces the injured Rocky Elsom.

It creates an imposing back-row trio of George Smith, Wycliff Palu and Waugh to take the field once again in an area where the Australians were far superior last week but now must face New Zealand with Richie McCaw.

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

Mortlock and Waugh are the only changes to Deans' run-on side, chasing their first win in Auckland in 22 years, as well as to be the first side to win there in ten 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: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Peter Hynes, 13 Stirling Mortlock (c), 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Lote Tuqiri, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Luke Burgess, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 George Smith, 6 Phil Waugh, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 James Horwill, 3 Al Baxter, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Matt Dunning, 18 Dan Vickerman, 19 Hugh McMeniman, 20 Sam Cordingley, 21 Ryan Cross, 22 Drew Mitchell.

Date: Saturday, August 2
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.35 (07.35 GMT)
Referee: Mark Lawrence (South Africa)
Touch judges: Craig Joubert (South Africa), James Bolabiu (Fiji)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)