Ben Donaldson believes he can form a formidable partnership with Carter Gordon as they look to take the Wallabies deep into the Rugby World Cup.
Pone Fa'amausili and Matt Faessler stand on the brink of shock selections for Australia's Rugby World Cup squad after being thrust into the Bledisloe Cup cauldron.
The All Blacks recovered from being 3-17 down at half-time to beat the Wallabies 23-20 in a thrilling Bledisloe Cup encounter at Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday.
The All Blacks have named three debutants in their side to face Australia on Saturday, while the Wallabies have handed the captaincy to scrumhalf Tate McDermott.
World Cup selection may be next week, but halfback Finlay Christie said the All Blacks were not distracted by that ahead of their second Bledisloe Cup Test with Australia in Dunedin on Saturday afternoon.
The Wallabies' woes went from bad to worse when it was confirmed that star front-row Allan Alaalatoa has been ruled out of the upcoming Rugby World Cup in France due to a ruptured Achilles.