The All Blacks will revert to a more muscular forward pack for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup rugby Test against Australia, but hooker Andrew Hore has cautioned against any expectations of dominance at scrum time.
Hore said the Wallabies' shaky scrum of recent seasons appears to have stiffened judging by their form in beating Ireland, France (twice) and South Africa to kick-start the tenure of new coach Robbie Deans.
They dug in impressively during last Saturday's 16-9 defeat of the Springboks at Perth, leaving Hore convinced his side couldn't afford to put all their eggs into the scrum basket at ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
"The Aussies have had a bit of a hard time in the scrums in the last few years but it definitely looked like they've got it together and they fronted up pretty well against what we know is a very good Springbok pack," said Hore, who believed South Africa didn't bring enough variety to unhinge the well-organised hosts.
"Everyone's probably gone over there to target their forward pack and they seem to have worked things out well.
"The Aussies probably use the ball and spread it a little bit wider but maybe aren't so physical up front. They are underrated and they're smart with what they do too."
The All Blacks have arguably the world's premier scrum but it didn't show in their 28-30 loss to South Africa in Dunedin.
Untested locks Anthony Boric and Kevin O'Neill played most of that test in place of the suspended Brad Thorn and injured Ali Williams while the mobile John Afoa started instead of veteran tighthead prop Greg Somerville.
Thorn, Williams and Somerville are all expected to start at Sydney, and Hore said Thorn in particular would add starch to the New Zealand scrum.
Of more immediate concern to Hore is the lineout, where the All Blacks struggled in twin tests against both England and South Africa.
They are still coming to grips with the new lineout law that allows the defending team to stack numbers.
"We've only had a couple of games at it so we're still learning and seeing what works best for us," he said.
"We've got another couple of things we might try this week and hopefully it turns out all right."
Williams will be a key New Zealand lineout figure and appears set to play despite watching on for much of yesterday's training session.
He is still shaking off an ankle sprain that affected him in both Springboks tests, while he exited the Dunedin test early after suffering a heavy blow to the head.
All Blacks team to play Australia in Sydney on Saturday:
Mils Muliaina, Anthony Tuitavake, Richard Kahui, Ma'a Nonu, Sitiveni Sivivatu, Daniel Carter, Andy Ellis, Jerome Kaino, Daniel Braid/Richie McCaw, Rodney So'oialo, Ali Williams, Brad Thorn, Greg Somerville, Andrew Hore, Tony Woodcock. Reserves: Keven Mealamu, John Afoa, Anthony Boric, Sione Lauaki, Jimmy Cowan, Stephen Donald, Conrad Smith
