Friday, SCG, 8pm

Referee: Ashley Klein
Don't expect a repeat of last October's schemozzle in Wellington, when the Kiwis crumbled to a 58-0 loss against the Aussies. The Kiwis had centre Steve Matai sent off in that match, but they were already on the way to getting flogged before that happened. They have a better-looking team this time and a different coaching set-up, with Steve Kearney taking over and Wayne Bennett lending his vast experience to the process. That is not to say the Aussies don't deserve to be hot favourites at home they should be, and they are but this should much more of a contest.

The Aussies have got a wonderful backline that has tries written all over it, and a big, tough forward pack. The Kiwis can't match the Aussies in the backs and will aim to muscle up and try to establish a physical advantage through their own sizeable forwards, led by props Roy Asotasi and Nathan Cayless. The Kiwis bob up with a shock win over the Aussies every few years and the Aussies will be wary of the ability of their opponents to bounce back. Australia should win reasonably comfortably, but, who knows? We might get an absolute thriller.

Late mail

Australia halfback Johnathan Thurston will be given until an hour before kick-off to prove his fitness for tonight's Centenary Test against New Zealand at the SCG.

Thurston rolled his ankle at training yesterday and is unlikely to play, with Melbourne halfback Cooper Cronk called into the squad at late notice.

Michael Crocker, who only came into the squad after Darren Lockyer's withdrawal through injury, is now likely to start after being handed the No.13 jumper during a dinner with Team of the Century members at Circular Quay on Wednesday night.

New Zealand's preparations have been far more settled, with not one player in doubt even though forward Frank Pritchard had the flu early in the week.

Australia: Billy Slater, Greg Inglis, Mark Gasnier, Justin Hodges, Israel Folau, Greg Bird, Johnathan Thurston, Brent Kite, Cameron Smith (capt), Petero Civoniceva, Ryan Hoffman, Paul Gallen, Michael Crocker. Interchange: Carl Webb, Anthony Tupou, Willie Mason, Kurt Gidley.

New Zealand: Brent Webb, Jason Nightingale, Setaimata Sa, Iosia Soliola, Sam Perrett, Ben Roberts, Thomas Leuluai, Roy Asotasi (capt), Issac Luke, Nathan Cayless, Sonny Bill Williams, Simon Mannering, David Fa'alogo. Interchange: Jeremy Smith, Dene Halatau, Adam Blair, Frank Pritchard.