Mehrtens tips Aust to be an even bigger threat to All Blacks

Former New Zealand fly‑half Andrew Mehrtens is tipping Australia to be "an even bigger threat" to the All Blacks when they face off in Auckland.

With flanker Jerome Kaino and centre Ma'a Nonu expected to miss the game, Mehrtens believes the Wallabies could get the job done this week.

With the Wallabies not winning at Eden Park since 1986, Mehrtens stressed that this will not be an issue.

Mehrtens, who played 70 Tests for the All Blacks and helped guide Australia's Waratahs to the Super Rugby title as kicking coach this year, said the Wallabies rediscovered how to be gritty and tough in Sydney, particularly in defense.

The Wallabies meet the All Blacks at 7.35pm this Saturday while Argentina will take on South Africa at 7.40am on Sunday.

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Pat McCabe, 13 Adam Ashley‑Cooper, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Rob Horne, 10 Kurtley Beale, 9 Nic White, 8 Wycliff Palu, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Scott Fardy, 5 Rob Simmons, 4 Sam Carter, 3 Sekope Kepu, 2 Nathan Charles, 1 James Slipper.

Replacements (one to be omitted): 16 James Hanson, 17 Pek Cowan, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 Will Skelton, 20 Scott Higginbotham, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Bernard Foley, 23 Tevita Kuridrani, 24 Ben McCalman.