Lima Sopoaga handed second All Blacks start more than two years after first as Beauden Barrett absent with concussion

Highlanders fly-half will win his 13th Test cap against Australia in the final Bledisloe Cup encounter of the year

Lima Sopoaga will start at fly-half for New Zealand against Australia this weekend (Getty)

Lima Sopoaga will be in the All Blacks starting XV for the first time since his test debut, picked to replace injured pivot Beauden Barrett for Saturday's third Bledisloe Cup test against Australia.

Sopoaga, who was included Thursday to start at No 10 for only the second time in his 12-test career, is one of two changes to the New Zealand backline forced by injuries. Waisake Naholo returns on the right wing for his 14th test, replacing Nehe Milner-Skudder, who has been ruled out of the remainder of the season with a shoulder injury.

Injury forced the Wallabies to make one change to their starting line-up, with veteran lock Rob Simmons returning in place of Izack Rodda, who has had surgery on a season-ending shoulder injury. Lukhan Tuii has been selected on the bench as second row cover.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika elected not to call up rugby league convert Karmichael Hunt, who is fit again after a three-month break with an ankle injury. Instead, Cheika has chosen to keep Samu Kerevi on the bench to cover midfield.

Back-rower Ned Hanigan returns to the bench after missing Australia's 37-20 over Argentina in Mendoza two weeks ago in the last round of the Rugby Championship.

Barrett left the field after a knock to the head in New Zealand's Rugby Championship test against South Africa two weeks ago. He passed a head injury assessment but has since reported symptoms of concussion, including headaches.

Barrett suffered a concussion in the Rugby Championship win over South Africa (Getty)

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen didn't select a specialist fly-half on the bench for the Bledisloe Cup test, preferring full-back Damian McKenzie to cover the position in case of injuries. Scrumhalf TJ Perenara and centre Anton Lienert-Brown return to the reserves.

Hansen said the squad was the strongest he could name, given injuries and the unavailability of key players. Props Joe Moody and Owen Franks are already sidelined for the season and locks Brodie Retallick and Luke Romano have remained in New Zealand for personal reasons.

Scott Barrett will again partner Sam Whitelock in the second row, with back-up on the bench from Patrick Tuipulotu. Sam Cane will play his 50th test at openside flanker, and captain Kieran Read will make his 100th test start in his 107th test.

New Zealand were unbeaten in the Rugby Championship and have already won the Bledisloe Cup series, beating Australia 54-34 and 35-29 in the first two tests. Hansen said Australia would be a tougher opponent on Saturday, having shown steady improvement this season.

"From Australia's point of view, they'll be desperate to win as they haven't done so (against New Zealand) for some time," Hansen said. "Our goal is to never be satisfied with where we're at and that means it's greater than just the outcome. It's about how we play individually and collectively."

Teams

Australia: Israel Folau; Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Kurtley Beale, Reece Hodge; Bernard Foley, Will Genia; Scott Sio, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Sekope Kepu; Rob Simmons, Adam Coleman; Jack Dempsey, Michael Hooper, Sean McMahon.

Replacements: Stephen Moore, Tom Robertson, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Tui, Ned Hanigan, Nick Phipps, Samu Kerevi, Henry Speight.

New Zealand: Damian McKenzie, Waisake Naholo, Ryan Crotty, Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Lima Sopoaga, Aaron Smith; Kane Hames, Dane Coles, Nepo Laulala; Sam Whitelock, Scott Barrett; Liam Squire, Sam Cane, Kieran Read.

Replacements: Codie Taylor, Wyatt Crockett, Ofa Tu'ungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Matt Todd, T.J. Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, David Havili.

AP