Recalled Australia number eight Wycliff Palu insists he is ready to tackle the All Blacks in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup clash.

This was despite having just two club games under his belt since breaking his hand nearly two months ago.

Palu's inclusion in the team named by coach Robbie Deans represents the only change made to the starting XV which defeated France 22-6 in Sydney last month.

His return forces provincial team-mate Dean Mumm onto the bench while Richard Brown shifts to blindside flanker.

While Palu was reluctant to predict how many minutes he was capable of playing in what is expected to be a high-octane encounter in Auckland, the 120kg giant is confident his lack of match fitness won't be an issue

"It's a big opportunity for me and it's a good game to come to back to against the All Blacks - I couldn't wish for anything more," Palu said.

"Definitely physically these All Blacks Tests are always pretty tough but the mental side's going to get us the edge and that's something I'm definitely ready for."

Deans is equally confident Palu won't let the side down in the pivotal clash.

"No we're not (concerned) but we'll just respond to how it unfolds on the day," he said when asked if Palu's lack of match fitness is a worry.

"We've obviously got a lot of fresh, keen blokes on the bench as well who are more than able to step up should they be required."

Indeed the Kiwi-born coach has plenty of cover should the 26-year-old run out of gas, having named two specialist number sevens - David Pocock and Phil Waugh - on his bench.

Asked if the make-up of his reserves, which features five forwards and two backs was influenced by the return of Richie McCaw from a knee injury, Deans replied: "It's (the breakdown) where we expect the contest to be, it's going to be physical.

"It will be fast, and where we possibly didn't play 80 minutes last year we'll have to play 80 minutes this year.

"What makes up that contest we don't really know as yet but we believe we've chosen a group of players that we think will serve us well on the day."

Meanwhile, Deans concedes his side fell victim to an old-fashioned All Blacks ambush in their 39-10 defeat in the corresponding fixture last year.

But he's confident his side is better equipped this time around.

"I think we're in better shape and it's a contest that we're really looking forward to and I guess we have that background of experience in terms of realism," he said.

"Obviously last year we were caught on the hop to some extent in terms of the response of the All Blacks. At that point they'd lost two games (in a row), they were back at Eden Park and we experienced a response.

"And while we went into that game hopeful and thought we prepared effectively, the ferocity of that response is exactly what we're going to experience this weekend.

"The circumstance is identical in many ways and that's where that experience will be good if we can take the meaning out of it ... but ultimately we're going to have to bring something that makes us deserving on the day."