The importance of Saturday's test between Australia and New Zealand, which will both decide the Rugby Championship and fine tune World Cup preparations, has been reflected in bold selections.
The teams are tied with nine points after two rounds of the Rugby Championship and Saturday's winner will take out the four-nation tournament, boosting its World Cup confidence.
Australia will have to beat New Zealand in Sydney for the first time in four years to become champions and to halt New Zealand's run of three-straight titles.
The teams will meet again, outside the Rugby Championship but for the Bledisloe Cup, in Auckland next weekend in their last major match ahead of the World Cup. The double-header allows head coaches Michael Cheika, of the Wallabies, and Steve Hansen, of the All Blacks, to experiment with selections as they prepare to cut current squads of 41 to 31 for the world tournament in England.
The All Blacks' lineup is close to their strongest. Only injuries to inside centre Ma'a Nonu, replaced by Sonny Bill Williams, and right wingers Waisake Naholo and Cory Jane, replaced by Nehe Milner-Skudder on debut, have prevented the selection of a full-strength backline.
Veteran Dan Carter appears have edged into first place in a four-way contest with Beauden Barrett, Colin Slade and Lima Sopoaga for the No. 1 flyhalf spot at the World Cup. He needs only nine points for Saturday's match to become the first player to surpass 1,500 points in tests.
Luke Romano will start beside Brodie Retallick in the second row in an otherwise full-strength forward pack. Sam Whitelock, who will warm the bench Saturday, might return as a starter in Auckland to fill out the All Blacks' strongest tight five.
The selection of such a strong lineup suggests Hansen might use the return match at Eden Park to play a more experimental side, allowing fringe players a late chance to stake World Cup claims. If New Zealand wins on Saturday, it not only takes the Rugby Championship but makes the Bledisloe Cup safe for the 12th-straight year.
Cheika has taken the experimental route first, naming tear-away flankers Michael Hooper and David Pocock to start a test together for the first time in their careers. To accommodate that selection, David Pocock will start out of position at No. 8.
Their selection flags a clear intention to try to dominate the breakdown, as the Springboks did against the All Blacks in Johannesburg two weeks ago before losing 27-20.
"It's not a surprise is it?" New Zealand coach Hansen said of Australia's selection. "Particularly after what the Boks did last week. They were particularly good with their two fetchers on the track and they caused us problems for a while.
"Whilst that gives them strengths in some areas it probably weakens them in others. We have to make sure we take advantage of those weaknesses and don't allow them to have a field day at the breakdown."
Dean Mumm was named at lock ahead of the giant youngster Will Skelton in a move which adds mobility but may weaken the Wallabies at scrums and lineouts, while Matt Giteau's return from injury and Drew Mitchell's selection on the right wing adds pace to the backline.
Australia will have to overcome New Zealand's strong back row of Kieran Read, Jerome Kaino and captain Richie McCaw, who will become the world's most-capped rugby player on Saturday in his 141st test.
The return of Julian Savea on the left wing, for his first test of the season, and the selection of Milner-Skudder on the right, indicates an attacking intent. With Ben Smith at fullback they form a potent back three.
This content appears as provided to The Globe by the originating wire service. It has not been edited by Globe staff.