Odds Go Against Kiwis

The stats weigh heavily in Australia's favour on the eve of the Centenary Test match.

New Zealand has played 99 test matches against Australia since 1908, losing 72 and winning 25 with one draw.

The Kiwis last beat their trans-Tasman rivals in 1999, a narrow 24-22 win at Ericsson Stadium.

Only Ruben Wiki and Nigel Vagana remain from that Kiwis side while the Kangaroos have three, captain Brett Kimmorley, Craig Gower and Darren Lockyer.

Nine New Zealand players line up again from the test in July, won 48-6 by Australia in Sydney, a game in which New Zealand was no match for the State of Origin hardened Kangaroos.

The eight changes come with the reintroduction of Motu Tony, Henry Faafili, Jason and Nathan Cayless, Ali Lauitiiti and new caps Vince Anderson, Thomas Leuluai and Sione Faumuina.

Selectors Brent Todd and coach Daniel Anderson admitted after that match that they made a mistake picking a side stacked with forwards in an effort to dominate the Kangaroos pack.

In the end it turned into a nine-try-to-one thrashing from the Aussies with New Zealand not having the muscle or speed off the bench.

Of concern this time for Anderson is the inexperience in the halves to cover the loss of injured play maker Stacey Jones.

The selectors have gone for 18-year-old Leuluai, son of former Kiwis great James Leuluai in his place with Nigel Vagana wearing the No 6 jersey.