New Zealand captain Richie McCaw is ready to go head to head with George Smith in their Tri Nations opener at Eden Park in Auckland.

The dynamic openside flankers have set the benchmark for the position over the best part of a decade and always engage in a ferocious tussle when they meet on the international stage.

McCaw will play his first match of the year this weekend while Australia's Smith has been outstanding in the Wallabies build-up to the Tri Nations.

McCaw will run out in his 71st appearance for the All Blacks while Smith reaches a huge milestone as it will be his 100th Test match for Australia.

"It's as important as always," said the 28-year-old. "I don't think it's any different to what it's been in the past.

"But as I always say, how we operate depends on what happens with the whole forward pack and how much rope we get to operate with.

"Playing against a guy like George Smith, you've got to try and eliminate his influence on the game and that's what we always try and do.

"He's a smart sort of player and when he gets in and has a crack at the ball or carries the ball he doesn't very often make poor decisions. I guess that's what makes him a pretty classy player because he does that all the time."

McCaw will not only have Smith to deal with as coach Robbie Deans has named three genuine openside flankers in his side in an attempt to counter McCaw's influence in the match.

Wallabies veteran Phil Waugh has been named on the bench along with 21-year-old David Pocock who will also be used off the bench.

All Blacks coach Graham Henry said Deans' inclusion of three opensides is blatantly indicative of the respect he has for McCaw.

"They've got a couple of young guys coming into the scene, and with Waugh and Smith being there for quite some time they're up there with world class number sevens," said Henry.

"I guess it means they're a bit concerned about our seven as well so they're trying to double-team him.

"It shows a lot of respect for what we're trying to do as well."

McCaw himself typically downplayed the fact he will be targeted on Saturday night as has grown used to dealing with players trying to cancel him out.

"Just playing the Wallabies regardless of the personnel is a challenge," he said.

"Those three guys are all quality players and a couple of them, no matter what position they are playing in, will make a difference in the game.

"It's going to be a good challenge, as it always is."