Herald rugby experts Gregor Paul and Patrick McKendry answer three key questions ahead of the All Blacks' clash with the Wallabies tomorrow night.
1. What difference will it make for Australia to play two opensides? Is it a threat or an opportunity for the All Blacks?
Gregor Paul: Obviously the All Blacks can't afford to replicate their poor work at the breakdown which blighted their performance at Ellis Park. Ball carriers need to dominate the collision; cleanout men need to be more accurate and quicker to the contact or Hooper and Pocock will help themselves.
But the Wallabies lack ball carriers and offloaders as a result; their lineout has been compromised and their physicality a heap less without Skelton.
Patrick McKendry: The selection of Hooper and Pocock alongside Scott Fardy will give the Wallabies the hardest-working loose trio they have had in years.
Pocock is a turnover expert, but Hooper likes to stand further out - he's easily as quick as a midfielder. They could be a breakdown threat for the All Blacks but, with Will Skelton on the bench there is a suspicion that they could be light in terms of ball-running threats around the ruck. It's both a threat and an opportunity.
2. The result is obviously the most important thing - and it would be great to heap more misery on the Australian sporting public - but what will the All Blacks selectors want to see tomorrow night?
Gregor Paul: They want better execution of all the basics. More control, more composure and more accuracy. They also want to have fewer periods where they drift out of the game. All the usual stuff.
Patrick McKendry: They'll want to see improvements in said breakdown from last weekend against the Boks, a fit and firing Julian Savea after his recent fitness issues, a tight five putting consistent pressure on their opposites and a calmer Aaron Smith. The little No9 tried a bit hard to impress last weekend, according to Steve Hansen.
3. Who has the most to gain or lose in terms of World Cup selection?
Gregor Paul: Codie Taylor is likely to get another 15-20 minutes and he may win his World Cup spot if he performs well. Nehe Milner-Skudder could complicate further the back three puzzle and Sonny Bill Williams could blast up the rankings if he plays as well as everyone knows he can.
Patrick McKendry: There is clearly plenty at stake for wing Nehe Milner-Skudder, who will be making his debut. Another good performance from reserve hooker Codie Taylor will almost certainly get him on the plane to the World Cup ahead of Hika Elliot.
