AUCKLAND, New Zealand (AP):

ALL BLACKS coach Graham Henry will play several of his World Cup cards in tomorrow's deciding Tri-Nations rugby match, hoping they are not trumped by Australia.

After experimenting with combinations in six previous Tests this season, Henry has named what he calls his strongest side for a match which will determine the outcome of the Tri-Nations series and the annual Bledisloe Cup contest between the trans-Tasman rivals.

In bestowing First XV status on what seems to be a developing combination, Henry has risked conceding a psychological advantage to Australia weeks out from the World Cup, accentuated if the Wallabies break an 11-year losing streak at Eden Park.

Confident of winning

Australia are confident of winning after upsetting an off-key New Zealand team 20-15 in Melbourne two weeks ago. Nothing in the All Blacks' 33-6 win over South Africa last week suggested they will be more adept or more confident at Eden Park tomorrow.

"We're aware of the importance of this match and I'm sure New Zealand are too," Australia captain Stirling Mortlock said.

"There's a lot at stake - momentum going into the World Cup and the Tri-Nations, Bledisloe Cup titles," he said. "Our preparation's been great and we go over with high expectations."

Mortlock said most pressure tomorrow would fall on the All Blacks, who are already under scrutiny after a series of unconvincing Test performances this season.

"You saw in their performance against the (Spring)Boks," he said. "On the scoreboard they won by a considerable margin, but there was a lot of heat put on by their local media."