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New Zealand have postponed naming their team to face Australia in the first Tri-Nations Test in Auckland on Saturday to assess the fitness of fly-halves Luke McAlister and Stephen Donald.

The All Blacks were due to name their 22-man squad on Tuesday but will now release it on Wednesday.

McAlister (pictured) and Donald shared the stand-off position during the June Tests but have been hampered with fitness concerns.

Donald trained on Monday despite nearly being ruled out of Saturday's game with a hamstring injury, while McAlister also got through the session despite back spasms keeping him out of two club matches.

"I'd say the coaches would be pretty pleased," scrum-half Brendon Leonard said.

"They've both been there before, so I think they'd be pretty confident that whoever steps into that jersey will be able to do the job."

After fielding a succession of injury-ravaged teams in their first three internationals against France and Italy, the All Blacks welcome back talismanic captain Richie McCaw and Rodney So'oialo to their pack.

Sitiveni Sivivatu is also expected to help the All Blacks defend their more than 20-year winning streak over the Wallabies at Eden Park, after recovering from a shoulder injury.

Reuters