game as the back three of Beale, Mitchell and James O'Connor ran riot. In-form No.8 Kieran Read was the pick of an impressive All Blacks bunch in Wellington as part of a dominant backrow. All Blacks inside centre Ma'a Nonu made the initial break to set up Israel Dagg's match-winning try against the 'Boks three weeks ago. And the blockbusting No.12 looms as a key figure this weekend against a much smaller Wallabies midfield of Matt Giteau and Cooper, who could struggle to contain the 104kg Nonu.
WE THINK: Both teams insist Dan Carter's absence is a non-factor but nothing could be further from the truth. Yes, Hurricanes young-gun Aaron Cruden is a star of the future, but at this early stage of his international career he is defensive liability and could be badly exposed in his maiden run-on Test. The Wallabies will be tired on the back of consecutive Tests at altitude, but with Cooper back on deck after missing the previous two Bledisloe Cup Tests this season, we're tipping the Wallabies to finally turn the tide - but only just. Wallabies by five.
TEAMS:
Predicted Wallabies: 15. Kurtley Beale, 14. James O'Connor, 13. Adam Ashley-Cooper, 12. Matt Giteau, 11. Lachie Turner/Peter Hynes, 10. Quade Cooper, 9. Will Genia, 8. Ben McCalman, 7. David Pocock, 6. Rocky Elsom (c), 5. Nathan Sharpe, 4. Mark Chisolm, 3. Salesi Ma'afu, 2. Stephen Moore, 1. Benn Robinson.
16. Huia Edmonds, 17. James Slipper, 18. Dean Mumm, 19. Richard Brown, 20. Luke Burgess, 21. Berrick Barnes, 22. Anthony Faingaa.
All Blacks: 1. Tony Woodcock, 2.Keven Mealamu, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brad Thorn, 5. Tom Donnelly, 6. Victor Vito, 7. Richie McCaw (c), 8. Kieran Read, 9. Piri Weepu, 10. Aaron Cruden, 11. Israel Dagg, 12. Ma'a Nonu, 13. Conrad Smith, 14. Cory Jane, 15. Mils Muliaina.
Reserves: 16. Corey Flynn, 17. John Afoa, 18. Anthony Boric, 19. Jerome Kaino, 20. Jimmy Cowan, 21. Colin Slade, 22. Rene Ranger.