This is a fascinating battle to digest and the ledger is tilting to the All Blacks in terms of the huge ins from injury, including their hooker Codie Taylor to shore up a lineout that creaked against the Springboks in Wellington.
Cam Roigard is also back at 9 after recovering from injury and will provide an immense threat at the ruck for Tate McDermott to keep an eye on.
Caleb Clarke is picked on the wing and his aerial threat is devastating. On a wet day in Auckland, this could provide an edge. Corey Toole was consistently outgunned aerially by Argentina in Sydney and you’d think the Wallabies will use the jumping ability of Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii off restarts.
The Wallabies have reshuffled the deck by necessity. No Rob Valetini paves the way for Tom Hooper to slot in at No.6 where he was excellent against the British and Irish Lions in the third Test. Andrew Kellaway’s injury allows Max Jorgensen to play in his preferred role of fullback.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has been banging down Joe Schmidt’s door with strong performances and could thrive in the wet conditions. He critically needs to manage his discipline and can complement the brilliant Nick Frost.
It has come under the radar slightly, but Allan Alaalatoa’s return to the bench provides a massive boost to the Wallabies scrum and also leadership when it will be needed in the tight moments.
Finally, it will be a major showdown for the five-eighths. The globetrotting James O’Connor has one of the best brains in the game and will be looking to use his experience last season with the Crusaders to try to outwork the brilliance of Beauden Barrett, who has a huge point to prove.
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