Hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and wing Lachie Turner have both been passed fit and will play for Australia against New Zealand in their final Tri-Nations Test in Wellington on Saturday.

The New South Wales pair were on Tuesday named in the squad that will travel to New Zealand on Wednesday, although their Waratahs teammate, utility back Kurtley Beale, will travel also as cover as the 23rd man.

Both Polota-Nau and Turner, who suffered rib injuries during the 21-6 win over South Africa in Brisbane the previous week, have responded well to treatment in order to prove their fitness for selection.

Polota-Nau trained with no discomfort during Tuesday's full contact session - fulfilling the requirement in order to be named in the starting line-up.

Turner has also made good progress, although Wallaby coach Robbie Deans said the presence of Beale in Wellington was precautionary if the wing didn't continue to improve.

"At this stage, we feel Lachie will be right, but we're taking Kurtley along with us just in case," Deans says.

"As well as being precautionary, it is good experience for Kurtley being with the squad through the entire Test preparation."

Travelling with an extra man is nothing new for the Wallabies.

Timana Tahu joined the team in Auckland last year as the 23rd man, while Reds wing Peter Hynes filled the role in the same city in July.

The 23rd man aside, Deans has named the same line-up which opened Australia's account in the Tri-Nations with a gritty win over the subsequent tournament winners, South Africa, at Brisbane 10 days ago.

The Wellington Test, Deans said, is about consolidating the Brisbane performance.

"We stepped up to a new level, in terms of our performance, last time and that was pleasing," Deans said.

"But life goes on. We can't live in that moment and rest our laurels on it. History, both in terms of Australia's overall record in New Zealand, and our recent experience there, shows how difficult this weekend's assignment will be.

"That's not a negative: it's a great opportunity for us. It is important that we kick on and build on what was achieved during our match against South Africa."

As has been the case in the two team's most recent meetings, the All Blacks enter this match on the back of a disappointing result last weekend, where they were edged out at home by South Africa to concede the Tri-Nations title.

"They won't have enjoyed that experience," Deans says, "And will be determined to make up for it. We have seen, in our most recent experiences, how setbacks galvanise the All Blacks, especially when they are playing at home. We know what their response will be… we have to be ready to meet it."

Although New Zealand have already secured the Bledisloe Cup for the season, leading the four match series 2-0, while the Tri-Nations title has been won by South Africa; Saturday's match does have historical over-tones: it will be the 500th game to be played by a side representing Australia in a Test match.

It is also the third of four meetings between the trans-Tasman rivals this year, with the fourth match to be played at the National Stadium in Tokyo, Japan, on October 31.

The Tokyo match follows on from last year's successful Bledisloe Cup Test which was staged in Hong Kong.

Australia: 15 James O'Connor, 14 Lachie Turner, 13 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Drew Mitchell, 10 Matt Giteau, 9 Will Genia, 8 George Smith (captain), 7 David Pocock, 6 Rocky Elsom, 5 Mark Chisholm, 4 James Horwill, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Benn Robinson.
Replacements: 16 Stephen Moore, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Dean Mumm, 19 Wycliff Palu, 20 Luke Burgess, 21 Quade Cooper, 22 Peter Hynes.

Date: Saturday, September 19
Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Kick-off: 19.35 (17.35 AEST; 07.35 GMT)
Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa)
Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Cobus Wessels (South Africa)
TMO: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa)

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