All Blacks target record tenth win in a row against the Wallabies

New Zealand have already won back the Tri-Nations title and retained the Bledisloe Cup, yet again, but there's no chance they'll take it easy against Australia today (kick-off 1100 BST) with a record on the line.

The All Blacks have beaten the Wallabies in nine straight Tests, equalling their record set in trans-Tasman rugby union tests between 1936 and 1947.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry has made five changes to the side which beat South Africa 29-22 in Soweto last month to clinch the Tri-Nations, saying it was more a reward for performance for the New Zealanders than easing off. The pursuit of a tenth consecutive win over Australia is still a big motivation.

In the major change, injured playmaker Dan Carter will be replaced by Aaron Cruden at stand-off. Israel Dagg, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu and Owen Franks have all come into the starting line-up for Joe Rokocoko, Jerome Kaino, Jimmy Cowan and Ben Franks.

The absence of Carter could give Australia a slight tactical advantage, compounding the home support in Sydney, with the irrepressible Quade Cooper starting a Bledisloe Cup Test for the first time, and facing an inexperienced Cruden rather than a rampant Carter.

Cooper signed a one-year contract with the Australian Rugby Union yesterday, keeping him in the sport through next year's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and ending months of speculation about him crossing codes to rugby league. Cooper missed the opening two matches against New Zealand this series because he was suspended for a dangerous tackle in Australia's opening win over South Africa. Queensland and Australia half-back partner Will Genia said the Wallabies missed Cooper's creativity.

"Hopefully he can bring that to the game on Saturday," Genia said. "Dan Carter is massive for them. They're going to have to change the way they play a little bit because he controls their game so well."

The Wallabies haven't beaten New Zealand since Robbie Deans' first Test in charge. The nine losses since then have added pressure on Deans, a former All Blacks assistant coach and the first foreigner to coach Australia's national XV.

But the Wallabies are coming off a dramatic 41-39 win over the Springboks at Bloemfontein - Australia's first win on South Africa's high veldt in 47 years - when full-back Kurtley Beale landed a last-minute penalty to clinch it after the hosts stormed back from a 31-6 deficit.

"We haven't beaten (New Zealand] in a long time," Genia said. "We created history with the last game that we played and there's a very good chance we can do it this weekend. It just adds more to how big the challenge is."

Australia: K Beale; J O'Connor, A Ashley-Cooper, M Giteau, L Turner; Q Cooper, W Genia; B Robinson, S Moore, S Ma'afu, M Chisholm, N Sharpe, R Elsom, D Pocock, B McCalman. Subs: H Edmonds, J Slipper, D Mumm, R Brown, L Burgess, B Barnes, A Fainga'a.

New Zealand: M Muliaina; C Jane, C Smith, M Nonu, I Dagg; A Cruden, P Weepu; T Woodcock, K Mealamu, O Franks, B Thorn, T Donnelly, V Vito, R McCaw (capt), K Read. Subs: C Flynn, J Afoa, A Boric, J Kaino, J Cowan, C Slade, R Ranger.