Melbourne - Australia coach Michael Cheika has sprung a surprise by naming Quade Cooper at flyhalf in one of six changes to the starting side for the Bledisloe Cup decider against the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday.
New Zealand-born Cooper was omitted from the side that beat the All Blacks in Sydney last week but returns to the venue where he endured a poor game in Australia's stinging World Cup semi-final defeat to the hosts in 2011.
He also suffered a sickening knee injury at Eden Park in the tournament's bronze medal decider and has since struggled against the All Blacks.
The 27-year-old has been paired with scrumhalf Nic White, who came off the bench at Sydney's Olympic Stadium to boot a long-range penalty and score the matchwinning try in a strong cameo.
Nick Phipps, who played poorly at scrumhalf last week, has been omitted from the matchday squad altogether.
Cheika has also shelved the back-row combination of David Pocock and Michael Hooper that proved highly successful in Sydney to give specialist number eight Wycliff Palu a run.
Pocock drops to a bench that also features 14-test lock Kane Douglas, who has returned home from Ireland and recovered from a back injury.
Fiji-born winger Henry Speight comes into the side in place of France-based back Drew Mitchell, while Matt Toomua has been named at inside centre, with Matt Giteau dropping to the bench.
Hulking lock Will Skelton has been promoted to the starting 15 where he will partner James Horwill in the second row.
Team: 15-Israel Folau, 14-Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13-Tevita Kuridrani, 12-Matt Toomua, 11-Henry Speight, 10-Quade Cooper, 9-Nic White, 8-Wycliff Palu, 7-Michael Hooper, 6-Scott Fardy, 5-Will Skelton 4-James Horwill, 3-Sekope Kepu, 2-Stephen Moore (captain), 1-Scott Sio
Replacements: 16-Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17-James Slipper, 18-Greg Holmes, 19-Dean Mumm, 20-Kane Douglas, 21-David Pocock, 22-Matt Giteau, 23-Kurtley Beale – Reuters