All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen has named his side to face Australia in their Bledisloe Cup clash in Sydney on Saturday, with Luke Romano preferred over Brodie Retallick at number four.

Romano links up with Sam Whitelock while the front-row has New Zealand's most capped prop and hooker of all time in Tony Woodcock and Keven Mealamu, alongside Owen Franks.

In the loose forwards, Liam Messam is again at blindside flanker, captain Richie McCaw is back at openside after playing number eight in his last All Blacks outing, with Kieran Read returning.

In behind, half-back Aaron Smith combines with returning fly-half and vice-captain Daniel Carter; in the midfield Ma'a Nonu comes in for the injured Conrad Smith, with Sonny Bill Williams at outside centre. Cory Jane returns to the right wing, Hosea Gear is on the left and Israel Dagg is full-back.

"Saturday's Bledisloe Cup contest brings two challenges. The first is our opponents who we clearly respect. But just as important is the second challenge, which is about us being better than we were before," said Hansen.

"The expectation this All Blacks team has, is that it will strive to achieve these goals, both individually and collectively as a team."

A squad of 24 will travel to Sydney on Thursday, with Charlie Faumuina and Adam Thomson going with the matchday 22. All Blacks squad members Wyatt Crockett, Tamati Ellison, Sam Cane and Julian Savea will remain in New Zealand. The All Blacks return to Auckland on Sunday to prepare for the return Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park on Saturday 25 August.

Rugby Union betting odds

New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Cory Jane, 13 Ma'a Nonu, 12 Sonny Bill Williams, 11 Hosea Gear, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read, 7 Richie McCaw (capt), 6 Liam Messam, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Luke Romano, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Keven Mealamu, 1 Tony Woodcock.
Replacements: 16 Andrew Hore, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Brodie Retallick, 19 Victor Vito, 20 Piri Weepu, 21 Aaron Cruden, 22 Ben Smith.

Date: Saturday, August 18
Kick-off: 20:05 (11:05 BST, 10:05 GMT)
Venue: ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Referee: Alain Rolland (IRFU)
Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (WRU), Lourens Van Der Merwe (SARU)
TMO: Matt Goddard (ARU)

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