There is a make-or-break feel about this match between the Wallabies and All Blacks in Sydney.

The two teams have slipped behind South Africa on their trips to the Republic and now need to win as much as possible if they are to have a hope of winning the Tri-Nations.

In addition, the Bledisloe Cup is at stake, and for that the Wallabies must win.

Make-or-break makes for desperation which can inspire or rattle. The rapid return of Daniel Carter suggests desperation, but he is a player more likely to inspire than get rattled.

The Wallabies look to be a side more likely to rattle.

Judged by their visits to South Africa there is nothing between the two teams, for both got hammered in the same sort of way - with one difference which may well be significant - the Wallabies were able to score two tries and do so from set pieces.

There was another difference which may be telling: the Wallabies, once Benn Alexander was on, scrummed appreciably better than the All Blacks had.

The teams fared equally badly against the Springbok line-out but when they met in Auckland, in the rain, the Wallaby line-out was considerably better than the All Blacks'.

But now the All Blacks have chosen three tall loose forwards, all of them good in the line-out - Kieran Read is on for out-of-sorts Rodney So'oialo, Richie McCaw and Jerome Kaino to go with Isaac Ross and Brad Thorn. The Wallabies have Rocky Elsom back, which may well make a significant difference if his match fitness and timing is up to scratch.

There may not be too much between the two sides when it comes to primary possession.

The contest for the post-tackle ball could be crucial. On present form it would seem that George Smith is more likely to do well than Richie McCaw, a contest between two captains who are two great ball-winners. McCaw has the advantage of being the accepted captain and also the player more likely to keep his cool. One way and another the post-tackle contests are likely to be shattering collisions which may well determine the outcome of the match.

Penalties may count. So far in three matches the All Blacks have conceded 39, the Wallabies 28 in two matches - not a great deal of difference, but the Wallabies have played both matches away and it is well known that home sides are penalised less than visiting sides.

Kicking counts. Both sides have two good boots each, both at posts and out of hand. Both sides have the useful right-foot left-foot combinations for kicking out of hand - Dan Carter and Luke McAlister for New Zealand and Matt Giteau and Berrick Barnes for Australia. When it comes to kicking at scrumhalf, Jimmy Cowan may be better though he has not had a great time of late.

Tries always count. The Wallabies have scored three tries in their two Tests, all three of them excellent tries of great skill and timing. The All Blacks have scored three tries in three matches, all of them well executed. Scoring tries has not been easy for either side - the pouring rain in Auckland and then living off scraps of possession in South Africa. This time it seems things will be drier than in Auckland and possession is likely to be more evenly distributed than in South Africa. The Wallabies have the clever inside backs who can create tries and forceful Adam Ashley-Cooper out wide while the Australia have Sitiveni Sivivatu gliding into spaces of his own creation.