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Australia's rugby league convert Ryan Cross will replace the injured Stirling Mortlock for Saturday's Tri-Nations clash with New Zealand in Sydney.

Mortlock suffered concussion in last Saturday's 16-9 win over South Africa in Perth and was forced to withdraw from the side for the match against the All Blacks, which also doubles as the first of four Bledisloe Cup games.

Flanker George Smith will captain the Wallabies in Mortlock's absence, the Australian Rugby Union has confirmed.

Cross (pictured), 28, has won three caps as a replacement since making the squad for the first Test against France in June, but Saturday's match at Sydney's Olympic stadium will be his first appearance in the starting side.

Cross, who played rugby union at schoolboy level, joined the Perth-based Western Force Super 14 team two years ago.

He made an immediate impression when he scored two tries against France in Brisbane after coming on in the second half.

Cross's elevation to the starting side means a call-up to the bench for another former rugby league player, Timana Tahu.

Tahu, 27, switched to union with the New South Waratahs at the start of the year after a successful career during which he played for Parramatta, New South Wales and Australia.

In the only other change to the 22-man squad, lock Dan Vickerman returns to the squad after recovering from ankle surgery, replacing Queensland's Hugh McMeniman on the bench.

Before his injury, Vickerman was Australia's first choice lock, but Australian coach Robbie Deans decided to retain Nathan Sharpe and James Horwill in the second row after their strong performance against the Springboks in Perth.

"Sharpie and James Horwill last week were very good, so we've got combinations going there," Deans said.

"Dan will get his opportunity off the bench - he's done very well to be in this situation. He's ahead of the anticipated return time.

"It's great to have that depth. Hugh has certainly done nothing wrong."

Eight members of the squad, Cross, Tahu, centre Berrick Barnes, winger Peter Hynes, scrum-half Luke Burgess, lock Horwill, prop Benn Robinson and replacement hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau will be playing the All Blacks for the first time.

The Wallabies received a boost on Wednesday when All Blacks captain Richie McCaw was ruled out of the game through injury.

McCaw's place has been taken by Daniel Braid.

Australia: 15-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14-Peter Hynes, 13-Ryan Cross, 12-Berrick Barnes, 11-Lote Tuqiri, 10-Matt Giteau, 9-Luke Burgess, 8-Wycliff Palu, 7-George Smith, 6-Rocky Elsom, 5-Nathan Sharpe, 4-James Horwill, 3-Al Baxter, 2-Stephen Moore, 1-Benn Robinson.

Replacements: 16-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17-Matt Dunning, 18-Dan Vickerman, 19-Phil Waugh, 20-Sam Cordingley, 21-Timana Tahu, 22-Drew Mitchell.

Reuters