There are no trophies or prize money up for grabs but Australia and New Zealand are approaching today's sold-out Bledisloe Cup match in Hong Kong with the same intensity of a World Cup.

The bitter rivalry between the teams, stretching back over almost a century, has given both sides all the motivation they need to win their first meeting on Asian soil.

New Zealand have already retained the Bledisloe Cup for another year after winning two of their three matches against the Wallabies this season, but Australia coach Robbie Deans bristled at suggestions the match was a friendly exhibition.

"There will be passion. There will be intensity. There is no love lost between these nations and whenever you pull your nation's jersey on, you don't do it lightly," he told reporters in Hong Kong.

"So regardless of whether there's silverware up for grabs or not, there are things that are up for grabs that are of far more value."

New Zealand won their last encounter, 28-24 in Brisbane in September, but both teams have been forced to make wholesale changes to their lineups since then.

All Blacks flyhalf Dan Carter will make a rare appearance at inside-centre after coach Graham Henry switched him from his regular position to provide understudy Stephen Donald a chance to start a test in the number 10 jersey.

Henry also awarded a first cap to Wellington wing Hosea Gear and named Auckland utility player Isaia Toeava at fullback after Mils Muliaina pulled out to be at the birth of his first child.

The injury-stricken Wallabies made five changes to their starting lineup with wing Drew Mitchell, number eight Richard Brown, flanker Dean Mumm, lock Mark Chisholm and scrumhalf Luke Burgess all coming in.

Lote Tuqiri, Wycliff Palu, Hugh McMeniman and James Horwill were all left out because of injuries while scrum-half Sam Cordingley was demoted to the bench.