New Zealand backs coach Wayne Smith has called for improvement from ahead the Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations opener.

Both Stephen Donald and Luke McAlister struggled to stamp their authority in the games against France and Italy with neither showing much conviction or confidence in what were three mediocre team performances last month.

Leading into this week, the duo were also under injury clouds which pushed back the naming of the team to face the Wallabies until Wednesday.

Both however, have safely come through training runs in Auckland in the last 48 hours with McAlister recovered from a sore back and Donald returning from a hamstring strain quicker than expected.

Smith was giving little away with regard to which of the two was likely to start at number 10 at Eden Park on Saturday. But he was clear which area the pair needed to work on most.

"You have got to drive the game. You have got to be the director," Smith said after the team's training session at Eden Park.

"That's been the biggest work-on (for them). Technically they are both pretty good players.

"They have different strengths but they are both up to international level. It's being that director and giving the team certainty (that we want to see)."

The All Blacks had a two-day training camp in Wellington last week in a bid to ensure they hit the ground running in the days leading up to the showdown with Australia.

Smith revealed Dan Carter, who is continuing his recovery from a ruptured Achilles tendon back in New Zealand after his injury-shortened stint with Perpignan, worked with McAlister, Donald and Stephen Brett, who has been with the squad as cover, in the capital last Thursday.

"He made some notes on what he does and he took a session with the fly-halves which was useful. It's a development process," said the backs coach.

At Tuesday's training run at Eden Park, McAlister and Donald were given almost equal time in the pivot's role with Smith happy that both players appeared to come through the rigorous run-out unscathed.

"I haven't spoken to the medical people but it looked to me like they were pretty good. We've put them through it and they have come through pretty well by the look of it."

Smith had no qualms about throwing either in against the Wallabies, who will have Matt Giteau navigating for them.

He said: "They are both good running fly-halves.They've both got good kicking games. They are both reasonably strong on defence.

"They run differently. One takes to the line while the other is an explosive stepper but they both have the qualities and we're pretty happy with both of them.

"One has had more rugby than the other and that might come into the equation as well.

"We've just got to make those choices. If they are both available then to have one on the bench is going to be a real bonus for us as well."

Aside from the return of key players hooker Andrew Hore, number eight Rodney So'oialo, skipper and openside flanker Richie McCaw and wing Sitiveni Sivivatu, there could also be a change on the other wing when the team is named on Wednesday with Joe Rokocoko seemingly set to make way for Cory Jane.

With kicking becoming more prevalent in rugby under the ELVs, Smith believes that wingers now need the skills traditionally associated with full-backs - a position both Sivivatu and Jane have played for their Super 14 franchises and provincial sides.

"Joe is a player who is brave, traditionally good under high ball, but hasn't been noted for his kicking. He understands the need to work on that and we're pretty confident that he's made good strides," said Smith.

"There are tactical considerations when you're playing a team like Australia that come into play.

"Possession from receiving kicks is now the biggest possession platform in the game. It's bigger than lineout, it's bigger than scrum, so you've got to be aware of that when you're picking your back three."