Few surprises in Wallabies' picks, says Steve Hansen

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen. Photo / Jason Oxenham

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen says the Wallabies' bold move to start both star openside flankers David Pocock and Michael Hooper provides weaknesses to exploit in Saturday's Rugby Championship decider.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has opted to play Pocock out of position at No 8 in order to get both loose forward terriers into the starting side together for the first time in the clash at Sydney's ANZ Stadium.

Hansen was half expecting the ploy, especially after his team struggled at the breakdown and conceded turnovers in their last-start win over South Africa as the Springboks started two loose forward ball scavengers, Heinrich Brussow and Schalk Burger.

"It's not a surprise is it, particularly after what the Boks did last week," Hansen said.

"They were particularly good with their two fetchers on the track. They caused us problems for a while, so I don't think you needed to be a rocket scientist to work out he (Cheika) would probably go with that.

"Whilst that gives (the Wallabies) strength in some areas it probably weakens them in others.

"So we've just got to make sure we take advantage of those weaknesses and make sure that we don't allow them to have a field day at the breakdown."

It will be the first time Pocock and Hooper start together in a test.

"Australian Rugby is very fortunate to have some quality flankers competing for the number seven jumper," Chieka said.

"Both players have been in outstanding form for club and country this season and have shown their class in sharing the spot in the first two matches. They now have an opportunity to start a Test together which they are very excited about."

Loosehead prop Scott Sio will make his run-on debut, while Matt Giteau returns from injury at inside centre after missing the Wallabies' last-start win over Argentina.

"We have been impressed with Scott since joining the Wallabies group and he has worked extremely hard to put himself in this position," said Cheika.

NSW veteran Dean Mumm has bumped Will Skelton out of a starting place at lock, with the Waratahs giant moved to the bench.

Toulon star Drew Mitchell will get his first chance for the Wallabies since returning from France and has been named on the wing.

Wallabies squad: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps, David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, James Horwill, Dean Mumm, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore, Scott Sio. Bench: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Will Skelton, Ben McCalman, Nic White, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale.