Bledisloe Cup: New Zealand v Australia preview
Last Updated: 15/08/15 3:07pm
Quade Cooper comes into the Wallaby team for their Bledisloe Cup decider against the All Blacks at Eden Park.
With Australia's 29-17 win in Sydney last week, it's a straight shoot-out for the Bledisloe Cup in Auckland as both sides play their final match before they head to England for the World Cup.
'Enemy Number One' Cooper has not enjoyed a friendly reception in New Zealand - the country of his birth - in recent times, but Michael Cheika has assured the mercurial fly-half he is not playing for a World Cup spot when he takes the field in Auckland.
"I've been quite open about the fact they are coming (to the World Cup)," said Cheika.
"Him and Foley, they are coming."
"I don't think this is the appropriate match to say 'play good here and you'll get in the World Cup'."
Cooper will be joined in the half-backs by the Brumbies' Nic White, who impressed from the bench in last week's win in Sydney. The pair among six changes to the side that won the Bledisloe Cup opener, with Cheika giving Wycliff Palu a start ahead of David Pocock at No 8 this week.
Matt Toomua starts at inside centre at the expense of Matt Gituea who moves to the bench, while Gituea's Toulon team-mate Drew Mitchell has made way for Henry Speight on the left wing.
The final change sees 23-year-old Will Skelton start alongside James Horwill in the second row as Dean Mumm drops to the bench.
New Zealand's Richie McCaw has said this week that his side will not give Cooper any more attention than they would any team's fly-half, but the 141-Test veteran will no doubt want to ensure that his side do not let the Bledisloe Cup slip away in what is likely to be his final game for the All Blacks on New Zealand soil.
A second loss to the Wallabies would see the Bledisloe Cup head to Australia for the first time since 2002.
When McCaw takes the field on Saturday he will officially become the most capped international of all-time, surpassing the record set by Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll.
Typically of McCaw he has made no fuss of the honour, saying that his focus lies solely on obtaining a result against their neighbours.
Described by Steve Hansen as "maybe the greatest player to have played the game in the modern era", McCaw led the All Blacks to World Cup glory in the same Eden Park four years ago, and though he has not officially stated that he will retire after this year's tournament, indications are that he will hang up his boots when the showpiece comes to an end.
Another player likely playing his last All Blacks match in New Zealand is Dan Carter. The fly-half has been retained after last week's loss, but having signed for Racing Metro as of next season, he will be unavailable for All Blacks selection after the World Cup.
In the midfield Ma'a Nonu has been preferred to Sonny Bill Williams in one of three changes to the side that lost only their third match since the 2011 World Cup final.
In the second row Luke Romano is out of the side as Sam Whitelock starts, while Victor Vito will wear the No 6 jersey in place of Jerom Kaino.
New Zealand: 15 Ben Smith, 14 Nehe Milner-Skudder, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Ma'a Nonu, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Daniel Carter, 9 Aaron Smith, 1 Tony Woodcock, 2 Dane Coles, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Victor Vito, 7 Richie McCaw (c), 8 Kieran Read.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Wyatt Crockett, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Jerome Kaino, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Malakai Fekitoa.
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nic White, 1 Scott Sio, 2 Stephen Moore (c), 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 James Horwill, 5 Will Skelton, 6 Scott Fardy, 7 Michael Hooper, 8 Wycliff Palu.
Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 James Slipper, 18 Greg Holmes, 19 Dean Mumm, 20 Kane Douglas, 21 David Pocock, 22 Matt Giteau, 23 Kurtley Beale.
Watch the Bledisloe Cup decider between New Zealand and Australia live on Sky Sports 3 on Saturday from 8am.
