By MARC HINTON – Stuff.co.nz

While Wallabies coach Robbie Deans is poised to unleash a pack makeover for Saturday’s Bledisloe II in Sydney, his All Black opposite Graham Henry looks to be more focused on his backline.

Henry seems set to bring in Cory Jane on the right wing to replace the out-of-form Josevata Rokocoko and will also usher Dan Carter straight back for his first test appearance since last November’s tour finale at Twickenham.

Rokocoko showed some glimpses of a return to his best in Auckland’s win over Northland in Kerikeri on Saturday, though given the wing’s shortcomings in South Africa it would be a major surprise if Jane was not given the chance to add to his six test caps on Saturday night at ANZ Stadium.

The Wellington utility back has been caught in the middle of province v country standoff in New Zealand, with Lions coach Jamie Joseph controversially electing not to select Jane and other available All Blacks last weekend.

That left Jane expressing his frustrations, after the talented 26-year-old had not seen any action since the Bledisloe opener in Auckland.

Rokocoko has long been a Henry favourite, but at this stage of the competition the more sound defensive and positional game of Jane is likely to be preferred.

Carter’s selection is a given after the classy five-eighth confirmed his form and fitness over the first three weeks of the Air NZ Cup with Canterbury.

There could also be some consideration given to using the kicking option of either Carter or Luke McAlister at second five-eighths ahead of Ma’a Nonu, though that experiment is likely to be put on the back-burner to give Nonu a chance to benefit from the return of Carter in the pivot.

Nonu – like a number of his team-mates — did not have a great tour of South Africa and seasoned observers, including former All Blacks coach Laurie Mains, believe the All Blacks are being hampered by a lack of a kicking game in the No 12 jersey.

Jimmy Cowan will retain the No 9 jersey, with Piri Weepu’s ankle injury meaning there is effectively no direct threat to his job, while Conrad Smith, Sitiveni Sivivatu and Mils Muliaina should all be automatic selections, despite some scratchiness from the latter two in South Africa.

Henry probably won’t tinker greatly with his pack, with Owen Franks set to get another test start at tighthead prop, and the second row of Isaac Ross and Brad Thorn likely to be retained.

Ad Feedback If there was a forward change coming, it could be in the loose trio where Rodney So’oialo’s lack of form leaves him vulnerable to the challenge of Canterbury’s Kieran Read.

But the All Blacks coaches may give So’oialo one more chance to show he can get back to his best, and leave Read to fill the impact role on the bench.

Jerome Kaino’s sound defensive game, experience and physical presence is likely to see him retained on the blindside flank to go up against Rocky Elsom who’s expected to be restored to the Wallaby pack for the first time since his return from Ireland.

If Deans’ formations at Wallabies training since the squad reassembled to prepare for this match are any guide, he could make as many as four changes to his pack.

Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau, tighthead prop Ben Alexander, second-rower Dean Mumm and Elsom have all been used extensively in the top lineup at early sessions.

They could replace, respectively, Stephen Moore, Al Baxter, Nathan Sharpe and Richard Brown who were all under the spotlight after the defeat to South Africa.

The Wallabies were outgunned by the Boks pack in Cape Town and Deans is looking for a harder edge up front for this must-win test.

He is likely to leave his backline largely intact, though Stirling Mortlock’s injury will likely mean Adam Ashley-Cooper will move to centre and youngster James O’Connor will be handed the No 15 jersey.

There are also suggestions Peter Hynes could be used ahead of Lachie Turner on the right wing, while critics have highlighted Luke Burgess’ lacklustre play at halfback, with calls to give youngster Will Genia a start.

Deans may elect to give Hynes and Burgess one more chance to prove themselves.

Both teams will name their lineups for the test tomorrow in Sydney.

Possible starting XVs:

New Zealand: Mils Muliaina, Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Ma’a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Dan Carter, Jimmy Cowan; Reodney So’oialo, Richie McCaw (c), Jerome Kaino, Isaac Ross, Brad Thorn, Owen Franks, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock.

Australia: James O’Connor, Lachie Turner, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitcdhell, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess; Wycliff Palu, George Smith (c), Rocky Elsom, Dean Mumm, James Horwill, Ben Alexander, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Benn Robinson.

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