The All Blacks squad for the second Bledisloe Cup Test against the Wallabies on August 22 is named on Sunday morning and, Dan Carter aside, there will be plenty of interest as fans wait to see if any major changes are made.

But I expect coach Graham Henry will stick with the core of the players who have played well for him in the past, especially as he's been criticised relentlessly for the two Test losses in South Africa and desperately needs a win.

Could Ted survive three Test losses on the bounce? Hopefully that question won't need to be answered, but the need for a win means any young fella's pushing for a spot are unlikely to be blooded in Sydney.

Before you get a chance to name your team, here's what I think is the likely line-up for the Sydney Test next weekend, barring any new injuries:

1. Tony Woodcock - Woody hasn't hit the heights of two years ago when he was the best loose-head in the business. But the lack of anyone really pushing for the position means he gets another chance to keep up his try-scoring record against the Wallabies.

2. Andrew Hore - Hore is another player who survives not due to his form but because there's no-one else. With Keven Mealamu injured and Aled de Malmanche showing last week for Waikato he struggles to throw the ball in straight there's no other options.

3. Owen Franks - Who would have thought Franks would be the starting prop for the All Blacks at the end of the Super 14? He's reliable while not devastating around the paddock but because he's shown up okay he's bolted ahead of Neemia Tialata and John Afoa in the starting stakes.

4. Brad Thorn - He's tough and his leadership skills will help the relatively inexperineced Isaac Ross beside him. The old man of the All Blacks has shown more than enough to keep his spot.

5. Isaac Ross - The biggest success story of the international season so far. He's scored a couple of tries, looked impressive around the park and if he can get his line-out calls correct then he's going to be playing in black for many years to come.

6. Adam Thomson - One of the real opportunities for the selectors to mix things up. Jerome Kaino started well but fell off badly in the second Test against South Africa while Adam Thomson capped a couple of good weeks in the Air New Zealand Cup with an outstanding performance against North Harbour on Thursday.

7. Richie McCaw (c) - The first name on the teamsheet. Contrary to others, I thought he had a fantastic game in the second Test against South Africa and showed he's still one of the best in the business on the open-side.

8. Rodney So'oialo - With Liam Messam out of favour with the All Blacks coaches it could well come down to whether Rodney So'oialo or Kieran Read impresses this weekend. I've a funny feeling that So'oialo will get the nod as he had a great game the last time the teams played.

9. Jimmy Cowan - We have three hugely talented half-backs but none of them are grabbing the opportunity to show why they should always be number one. Cowan can be classed as the incumbent and therefore must be favoured to start, particularly with there being doubt over Piri Weepu's fitness and form.

10. Dan Carter - Personally I wouldn't have picked him for the squad - this is the perfect opportunity to keep trying and developing a back-up for the best pivot in the world. What happens if he gets injured in 2011 before the World Cup? But having picked him in the squad it makes no sense to leave him out of the team.

11. Sitiveni Sivivatu - The best attacker the All Blacks have. But the flying winger is so frustrating to watch as he still makes bad decisisions and his passing at times is well below that of international standards. However his potency on attack means he will always start if he is fit.

12. Ma'a Nonu - I'd like to see a second five-eighth with the ability to kick get a shot - and Luke McAlister is the ideal candidate. But his form since returning from the UK has been well below par and has thrown too many bad passes and intercepts to warrant selection over the dependable Nonu.

13. Conrad Smith - A class above and a delight to watch. His tackling is ferocious and, despite a couple of errors in the second South African Test, was one of the few who could leave the republic thinking they'd done a good job. An automatic pick.

14. Hosea Gear - Goodbye Joe. Hosea Gear has started well in the Junior All Blacks and the Air New Zealand Cup and his desire to get involved in the game and not just hang out waiting for the pass is something Joe Rokocoko could learn from. Cory Jane would be a good choice, but his ability to cover multiple positions off the bench means the speedy Gear gets the nod.

15. Malili Muliaina - Mils retains his spot because he's still the best fullback in New Zealand despite not having the best of Tri Nations so far. But there are few up-and-comers out there who may well put him under pressure over the next few months if he can't improve.

Replacements:

16. Wyatt Crockett - Didn't stand out when he made his debut against Italy earlier in the season, but deserves another chance because he was dominant in last week's Canterbury win over Auckland at Eden Park. Neither Tialata or Afoa have shown evidence of why they should continue to be picked and who doesn't want to see Crockett wipe Al Baxter's smarmy grin from his face?

17. Jason Eaton - I'd have preferred Bryn Evans coming off the bench, but his injury means Eaton has a chance to snag another All Black cap despite never looking like the same player who first burst on the scene a few years back. In an ideal world I'd like to see Tom Donnelly on the bench, but that's not going to happen.

18. Stephen Donald - Luke McAlister is out of form and the coaches aren't going to pick a bolter to back up Carter, so Donald gets the nod. Both Donald and Carter can play 12 as well, so there are options should something happen to Nonu.

19. Cory Jane - I've been nothing but impressed by Cory Jane since he bursting onto the scene with the New Zealand Sevens team. He's a good player and his ability to cover both wing and fullback means he's one of those players who may end up on the bench rather than starting on a regular basis. Tough on the Wellington youngster.

20. Jerome Kaino - played well against Australia and South Africa in the first test, but I think Adam Thomson adds just a little bit more to the team. I'd be looking for him to come on with 20 minutes left and making a real impact.

21. Aled de Malmanche - The number three choice hooker deserves his spot on the bench, but his throwing isn't the greatest and if he wants to push on and try and become a regular starter he needs to improve that aspect of his game - especially as lineouts have been a problem for the All Blacks in the last decade.

22. Piri Weepu/Brendon Leonard - If Weepu is fit then I think he should get the nod on the bench ahead of Leonard who is even more out of form than Weepu. It would be nice to think that someone like Alby Mathewson, who had an oustanding Super 14, could snare a spot, but it's not likely.

So what do you think? Who are the players you would like to see named this weekend, but won't be? And from the likely team I've named are there any changes you would make?

I appreciate all your comments.