Wallabies

Wallabies ring the changes to try and rescue Bledisloe Cup

Israel Folau's ankle injury has prompted Cheika to shift Dane Haylett-Petty from wing to fullback and introduce winger Jack Maddocks for his first Test start.

There are four changes in total from the team that lost 38-13 in Sydney last week.

Two of those come at prop in response to a back-pedalling scrum.

Scott Sio returns from injury to replace Tom Robertson on the loosehead side while, in a minor surprise, Brumbies prop Allan Alaalatoa is at tighthead in place of the experienced Sekope Kepu.

Ngani Laumape and Jordie Barrett to start for All Blacks at Eden Park

Laumape replaces Ryan Crotty at second five eighth and Jordie Barrett starts at fullback with Ben Smith going onto the right wing and Waisake Naholo moving across to the left wing for the injured Rieko Ioane.

The forward pack is the same that won the opening game in Sydney with Owen Franks set to play his 100th Test.

Ofa Tuungafasi comes back onto the reserves bench for Tim Perry.

Coleman "not proud" of Sydney Bledisloe bungle

The 38-13 loss was tough viewing in the second half - a 6-5 half time lead quickly turning into another All Blacks rout as the Wallabies' set piece crumbled in front of their eyes.

Having set up camp on Waiheke Island - a 30-minute ferry ride from Auckland's CBD - the Wallabies now have an Everest-sized mountain to climb if they are to snatch the Bledisloe back from the Kiwis.

Australia haven't beaten New Zealand at the Eden Park since 1986 and the All Blacks are undefeated through their last 41 starts at the ground.

Hansen targets areas to pressure Wallabies

New Zealand blew Australia away in the first half of each of the last two Bledisloe season openers and have held the coveted trophy since 2003.

But the hard work of his Australian counterpart Michael Cheika in endeavouring to close the gap between the trans-Tasman rivals hasn't gone unnoticed by Hansen.

"I think they are a good side, they've improved a heck of a lot," Hansen said.

"They've done a lot of hard work on their running lines and their core set piece roles.

"Their scrum has got better, looking at it against Ireland.

'Mind games' not fooling Wallabies

Barrett's starting spot has come into question, with calls for Crusaders star Richie Mo'unga to be handed the All Blacks No.10 jumper after guiding his side to back-to-back Super Rugby titles.

But Foley is having none of it, believing it's crazy to suggest New Zealand's 2016 and 2017 world player of the year won't be calling the shots once again.

"I can't see why there'd be any different. He's been a stalwart there for a few years," he said.

"He's world player of the year at the moment, isn't he? I think it's more internal mind games.

Fullback Folau vows to attack

And the defiant Wallabies superstar is also vowing to attack the high ball with his customary vigour despite copping a contentious one-match ban earlier this year for a clumsy aerial challenge on Ireland captain Peter O'Mahony.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika won't name his starting side until Thursday and has gone to great lengths to keep his side under wraps, but Folau all but revealed he'd be wearing the No.15 jumper in the series opener at ANZ Stadium.

All Blacks target new-look Australian midfield

In the absence of injured regulars Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani, the Wallabies don't have a specialist option for a position which poses many challenges in defence.

Utility Reece Hodge is expected to fill the Wallabies No.13 spot with fullback Israel Folau another option.

All Blacks assistant coach Ian Foster also threw up utility Matt Toomua's name on Tuesday ahead of the Wallabies team announcement on Thursday.

Pocock's return fires up All Blacks

Pocock missed last year's championship while on a sabbatical but was back to his ball-poaching best upon his international return in the June tests against Ireland.

"He's always a big threat when he plays," Cane said of his fellow loose forward on Monday.

"The way he continually bounces back and plays at a high level is pretty outstanding. It just creates an awareness - we're on more of a high alert than normal around the breakdown.

Genia: Bledisloe is top priority

The Wallabies head into Saturday's 2018 Bledisloe opener in Sydney trying to end New Zealand's 15-year hold on the trophy.

Asked what winning the Bledisloe would mean to the Wallabies Genia said: "everything".

"I can only speak from my personal point of view and for me, I'd have to say it's the pinnacle."

"The World Cup is obviously up there but how often do you get to play the best team in the world three times and have to win two out of three to win a trophy?"

"I've been trying for a while now so really looking forward to another crack."

Hooper signs lucrative new deal

Rugby Australia unveil the contract extension in Sydney on Friday.

Reported by News Corp to be worth close to $6 million, the contract would make him the highest earner in the Australian game, although the flanker could have commanded more by playing overseas.

Hooper was just the second player in Australian rugby history to take up a five-year deal after ex-rugby league star Lote Tuqiri in 2007.

The new deal will mean the 26-year-old NSW captain will be available to lead Australia at the next two World Cup tournaments in 2019 and 2023, adding to his 82 Tests.