Liam Messam talks to media ahead of the All Blacks' Bledisloe Cup match against Australia in Dunedin.

The All Blacks train on Forsyth Barr Stadium ahead of their Bledisloe Cup clash with the Wallabies.

Coach Steve Hansen seems to be sending Richie McCaw to the sheds. The flanker has been ruled out of Saturday's test.

Crocked All Blacks duo Richie McCaw and Cory Jane received a welcome piece of good news today when coach Steve Hansen confirmed they would both be able to take their place on the end-of-year tour.

McCaw (tight calf) and Jane (grade one hamstring strain) were late withdrawals from the All Blacks lineup to face the Wallabies in tomorrow night's third Bledisloe under the roof of Forsyth Barr Stadium.

McCaw is replaced at No 7 by Sam Cane, who has deputised for the skipper throughout this year, and Auckland youngster Charles Piutau comes in for his first test start on the right wing. Kieran Read assumes the captaincy once again.

Getty Images HARD EARNED: Richie McCaw has endured a tough, but successful, return to rugby.

Auckland's Steven Luatua takes Cane's place on the bench.

Hansen said after today's captain's run that it was a setback the All Blacks would take in their stride as he confirmed both McCaw and a gutted Jane would be fine to join the touring party.

"Richie's got a tight calf, and we just weren't prepared to risk it and have him miss the end-of-year tour," said Hansen. "We could have played him but the risk and reward just wasn't worth it.

"CJ has a grade one hamstring. He did that right near the end of training (yesterday). We thought he may have been OK in the morning but he pulled up no good so he's out."

Hansen said McCaw would recover quickly and Jane would be available for the French test in Paris, though would not be part of the group heading to Tokyo to take on Japan on November 2.

Hansen anticipated few issues with the late reshuffle, with Cane well used to slotting in for McCaw this year - he has started five of the nine tests - and Piutau having trained on the wing throughout the Rugby Championship campaign where he made five appearances off the bench.

"We've got to the stage now where it's just business as usual," he said of the injury-enforced changes. "If someone gets injured then the expectation is everyone's been preparing to play anyway, people come in, and we're confident. There's a lot of trust within the group in each other, and that's no different this week.

"We've just got to do what we've been doing all week -- prepare to play the Aussies, and play well."

Hansen agreed that the defection of McCaw wasn't quite the major it was a few seasons back.

"Sam has definitely put his hand up and Reado is comfortable in the captaincy shoes. We've done a lot of miles without Richie now, and whilst it's always great to have him there it's also a great opportunity for Sam, and Kieran to lead.

"It's a great chance for Charles. If we can take a positive out of a negative it is a big positive. He's played well enough to earn a start and he's good enough to start. We're expecting him to play really well."

Read cut a relaxed figure after today's captain's run, admitting that the familiarity of the situation helped him take the leadership upgrade in his stride.

"I'm used to it now I guess and I've just got to slot into the role as best I can. It's unfortunate for Ricko but just one of those things," said Read.

Read said Cane had proven he was up to the task on the openside and he felt the challenge for Piutau was to overcome any nerves he might have,

"But he's been around this team a while now and done a great job when he's come off the bench so far."

The new skipper said he rated the Wallabies, fresh off that big win in Rosario, a "completely different beast" to the one beaten comfortably home and away by the All Blacks in August. He had no doubt they would be looking to salvage their season with a victory tomorrow night.

"I think they will be a lot more attacking and probably willing to throw the ball around," said Read. "There's not much to lose for them, and we expect a really attacking game-plan.

"To be honest [a win] will make their season, and we can't afford to slip our standards."

Meanwhile both Hansen and Read welcomed test centurion Mils Muliaina back to the New Zealand game with news today he had signed for the Chiefs.

"It's good we've got some experience coming back into the country," said Hansen. "He's been a great player and I'm sure he'll be a great asset to a lot of young players."

Read said that with Muliaina and Jerome Kaino both returning, and Ma'a Nonu now likely to be retained, it was a huge boost for New Zealand rugby.

Asked if the likes of Kaino and Muliaina could challenge for the black jersey again, Read said: "There's no reason why they can't. If it's their desire and they've still got the skill and drive, then they'll have a good crack."