Tri-Nations: Wallabies v All Blacks.

The teams for the first 2010 Tri-Nations meeting between Australia and New Zealand in Melbourne, Australia on Saturday 31 July Kick-Off 11:00am GST Live on Sky Sports 2, have been announced. Joe Rokocoko will become New Zealand’s most-powerfull winger when he plays in their Tri-Nations game against Australia in Melbourne on Saturday. He has recovered from a hamstring injury and will play his 64th Test while Jimmy Cowan replaces new father Piri Weepu at scrum half. Quade Cooper failed in his appeal against a two-week ban and utility back Berrick Barnes has been drafted in to partner Matt Giteau who has been moved to fly-half, although the last time he and Barnes played together, the Wallabies were smashed 33-6 by the All Blacks in Wellington in last year’s tournament. Hooker Stephen has recovered from a broken jaw and replaces Saia Faingaa.

"No surface tension".

Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has announced the state of the playing surface a non-issue ahead of Saturday's trans-Tasman showdown with New Zealand, insisting his players would play on 'asphalt' if they had to. An intense Deans was forced to deflect a barrage of questions on the controversial Etihad Stadium pitch shortly after announcing two personnel changes to his starting side for the crucial Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup encounter.Berrick Barnes will line up at inside centre for the suspended Quade Cooper with Matt Giteau shifting to fly-half, while experienced rake Stephen Moore comes in for young star Saia Faingaa."I have no concerns about it, it's a level playing field for both sides," said Deans. "We'll play on asphalt if we have to, it doesn't matter." He said "It's a Bledisloe Test match happening in Melbourne this weekend and that's fantastic. It'll be a great occasion, a great game, it'll be great theatre and there'll be an awful lot for people to enjoy." The AFL Players' Association threatened a boycott of matches at Etihad Stadium on Monday before the league and stadium management agreed on a series of improvements to the ground which will also host two AFL matches this weekend.But Deans is adamant the shifting surface won't be a problem come Saturday night. All Blacks captain Richie McCaw said the Kiwis would put longer studs in their boots and hope for the best." I've heard there's a bit of talk about the surface but at the end of the day we can't change it, we've just got to get on with it," McCaw said."I guess one thing is that with the roof shut it won't be wet so that's a positive. I'm sure it will be fine."he said.

Barnes replaces suspended Cooper for Wallabies

Australia's forgotten man Berrick Barnes has been recalled to the starting line-up for Saturday's Tri-Nations game against New Zealand in Melbourne. Barnes, who has endured a dramatic fall from vice-captain to bench player this season, will make his second start of the Test campaign at inside centre in the absence of suspended playmaker Quade Cooper. Matt Giteau and Berrick Barnes will combine in the Australian backline for the first time this year in Saturday's Tri-Nations Test against New Zealand.With Quade Cooper unavailable through suspension, Giteau moves in one position to five-eighth while Barnes gains his second start of 2010 at inside centre. Only Stephen Larkham (87) and Michael Lynagh (64) have appeared mores times as a fly-half for Australia than Giteau, who has played 39 of his 82 Tests in the position. Barnes has played 17 of his previous 23 Tests as an inside centre, replacing Giteau in that position for the final eight minutes of last Saturday's Tri Nations opener in Brisbane. Faingaa has been named on the reserves bench alongside twin brother Anthony, who earlier appeared for the Australian Barbarians in both of their tour matches against England. It is not all bad news for the Faingaa family on the selection front, with Saia's twin brother Anthony in line to make his Test debut after being elevated to the bench. Should the Faingaas take the field, they will become the 40th set of brothers to have appeared for Australia in Test matches.The only other change to the bench sees Matt Hodgson return from a groin strain at the expense of his Western Force team-mate Ben McCalman.The night will be a special one for lock Nathan Sharpe as he ties the Australian record held by former skipper John Eales for the most caps earned by a Wallabies second rower. Sharpe, who made his debut against France in Melbourne eight years ago, will be lining up in his 84th Test.

Australia: Adam Ashley Cooper, James O'Connor, Rob Horne, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Will Genia, Benn Robinson, Stephen Moore, Salesi Maafu, Dean Mumm, Nathan Sharpe, Rocky Elsom (capt), David Pocock.

Replacements: Saia Faingaa, James Slipper, Rob Simmons, Matt Hodgson, Luke Burgess, Anthony Faingaa, Kurtley Beale.

Australia lose Cooper ban appeal

Australia will be without Quade Cooper for its Bledisloe Cup opener against New Zealand on Saturday night after the exciting playmaker lost his appeal against suspension.Australia's appeal against fly-half Quade Cooper's two-match ban has been turned down by a review panel.The Wallabies appealed the ban on the basis that it was a comparatively harsh punishment compared to those handed out to similar offences by two South African players.They had been hoping the penalty would be reduced to one match, but after a five-hour hearing the SANZAR officials opted to uphold the initial ban. Meanwhile Cooper was cited in the Wallabies' 30-13 trouncing of South Africa in Brisbane last weekend for a dangerous tackle on Springbok Morne Steyn.Cooper says he is disappointed with the decision.Coach Robbie Deans believes Cooper had a fair hearing."The critical message out of this for Quade is, and for any subsequent players who find themselves in this circumstance is, that once you get into this arena and you're in this predicament, you lose control of your own destiny," he said.