The Australian Test side will run out onto Mt. Smart Stadium without the likes of Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Johnathan Thurston, Cooper Cronk or Greg Inglis on the team-sheet.
And it has been 13-years since none of those names appeared in the Test side.
Wind the clock back to November 2005, Elland Road in Leeds, Australia led by then five-time winning NRL Premiership coach Wayne Bennett took on New Zealand in the Tri-Nations Final.
The Kiwis had previously defeated the Aussies during the Pool stage of the tournament but the Kangaroos were hot favourites to win the match.
The side only featured 3 Queenslanders with a heavy-NSW based contingent.
Australia's 17-man side vs. New Zealand - Tri-Nations Test Final:
- Anthony Minichiello
- Matt King
- Mark Gasiner
- Matt Cooper
- Brent Tate
- Trent Barrett
- Craig Gower
- Petero Civoniceva
- Danny Buderus
- Jason Ryles
- Luke O'Donnell
- Craig Fitzgibbon
- Ben Kennedy
- Craig Wing
- Willie Mason
- Mark O'Meley
- Steve Price
Interestingly though, the Aussies would lose to New Zealand in a Test final for the first time since 1952.
The Kiwis would dominate from start to finish, keeping the Kangaroos scoreless - winning 24-0.
Following the defeat Wayne Bennett would resign as head coach.