The first Bledisloe Cup match of the year will be missing significant clout with the captains of Australia and New Zealand observing from the sidelines.

All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw was officially ruled out of the Test this morning after failing to overcome an ankle sprain, while Wallabies leader Stirling Mortlock is still suffering the effects of a concussion from last Saturday's win over South Africa.

League convert Ryan Cross is expected to be named in his place today with George Smith to skipper the team, while flanker Daniel Braid will start for the All Blacks at Homebush on Saturday.

Wellington's Rodney So'oialo will continue to captain the side in McCaw's absence.

The All Blacks will travel to Sydney with 24 players; Otago's Adam Thomson and North Harbour's Rudi Wulf join the match-day 22.

All Blacks:

1. Tony Woodcock 2. Andrew Hore 3. Greg Somerville 4. Brad Thorn 5. Ali Willliams 6. Rodney So'oialo 7. Daniel Braid 8. Jerome Kaino 9. Andy Ellis 10. Dan Carter 11. Sitiveni Sivivatu 12. Ma'a Nonu 13. Richard Kahui 14. Anthony Tuitavake 15. Mils Muliaina. Reserves: 16. Keven Mealamu 17. John Afoa 18. Anthony Boric 19. Sione Lauaki 20. Jimmy Cowan 21. Stephen Donald 22. Conrad Smith.