Rugby: Don't tell Deans it's a dead rubber

Robbie Deans arrived with the Wallabies in Hong Kong this week and went immediately into test match mode.

His assessment of the fourth match in a Bledisloe Cup series the All Blacks have already clinched 2-1: "It's not a dead rubber. Who said it was a dead rubber?"

There's no such thing between the archrivals.

"There will be passion. There will be intensity. There is no love lost between these nations. And whenever you pull your nation's jersey on, you don't do it lightly," Deans said.

"Regardless of whether there is silverware up for grabs or not, there are things up for grabs that are far more valued."

The sentiment is echoed among the All Blacks.

"It's still an All Blacks-Wallabies battle ... The boys will be into it, excited and we definitely want a victory," lock Ali Williams said.

Top-ranked New Zealand retained the Tri-Nations - which also features World Cup winner South Africa - and Bledisloe Cup titles with a 28-24 win over Australia at Brisbane on Sept. 13.

In earlier matches in the series, the Wallabies won 34-19 in Sydney on July 26 and the All Blacks won 39-10 in Auckland the following week.

Both sides have adjusted their lineups for the Hong Kong match.

New Zealand coach Graham Henry is giving winger Hosea Gear his debut and shifted star flyhalf Daniel Carter to inside center to accommodate Stephen Donald at No. 10.

The All Blacks' most experienced back, fullback Mils Muliaina, withdrew from the match to spend time with his wife, who gave birth to a son on Tuesday. His place in the starting lineup went to utility Isaia Toeava while new cap Cory Jane has been added to the reserves bench.

Deans made five changes to his starting lineup, mostly enforced by injuries.

Luke Burgess returns from injury to win back his starting role at scrumhalf from Sam Cordingley and Drew Mitchell was drafted in for injured winger Lote Tuqiri.

Richard Brown replaced injured No. 8 Wycliff Palu, backrower Dean Mumm comes onto the blindside flank and Mark Chisholm replaces James Horwill in the second row in other injury-enforced changes to the pack.

Inside center Berrick Barnes returns to the bench after missing the last two tests, meaning skipper Stirling Mortlock will remain at No. 12 in a midfield combination with Ryan Cross.

The matchup Saturday is also a milestone because it's the first time the two sides have met on foreign soil outside of the World Cup. Australia won the only other match on neutral ground, beating the All Blacks 16-6 in the semifinals en route to winning the 1991 World Cup in England.