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.