Rugby-All Blacks delay naming team to gauge flyhalves' fitness

WELLINGTON, July 13 (Reuters) - New Zealand has postponed naming its team to face Australia in the first Tri-Nations test in Auckland on Saturday to assess the fitness of flyhalves Luke McAlister and Stephen Donald.

McAlister and Donald shared the position during the June tests but have been hampered with fitness concerns.

Donald trained on Monday despite nearly being ruled out of Saturday's test with a hamstring injury, while McAlister also got through the session despite back spasms keeping him out of two club rugby matches.

"I'd say the coaches would be pretty pleased," scrumhalf Brendon Leonard told reporters. "They've both been there before, so I think they'd be pretty confident that whoever steps into that jersey will be able to do the job."

After fielding a succession of injury-ravaged teams in their first three internationals against France and Italy, the All Blacks will welcome back talismanic captain Richie McCaw and Rodney So'oialo to the forward pack.

Sitiveni Sivivatu is also expected to help the All Blacks defend their more than 20-year winning streak over the Wallabies at Eden Park, after recovering from a shoulder injury.

The All Blacks name their 22-man squad on Wednesday.

(Reporting by Ian Ransom; Editing by Greg Stutchbury; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)