Cooper returns to Wallaby lineup

Boo-boys, get your vocal chords ready - Quade Cooper is back.

The Tokoroa-bred 28-year-old had been rumoured to start in the 12 jumper on Saturday night against the All Blacks, but Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has handed him the 10 jersey instead. That means a move to 12 for Bernard Foley as a side hit by injuries to Matt Giteau, Matt Toomua and Rob Horne look to adjust.

With the return of Cooper, the decibels at Westpac Stadium are sure to ramp up a level or three and the All Blacks must be preparing plans to make the most of a suspect defensive five-eighth pairing.

Coaches often look to hide Cooper and Foley on defence, with their tackling percentages hovering between 70 and 80 per cent for much of their careers.

You can imagine All Blacks pivot Beauden Barrett will be hoping to

direct as much traffic in that direction as possible come Saturday. While that pairing lacks punch on attack, they should have enough spark to create chances and test the All Blacks defensive structures.

Cheika has altered his lineout with the omission of Rob Simmons, dropped from the 23 in favour of Adam Coleman who slots into the second row.

He joins Kane Douglas, making for Australia’s fifth starting combination at lock this year.

Scott Fardy has returned to the back row alongside Michael Hooper and David Pocock, bringing the band back together after their successful outings at the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

Samu Kerevi also moves into centre alongside Foley, replacing Tevita Kurudrani from last weekend’s horror show in Sydney. Melbourne Rebels utility back Reece Hodge is in line for a debut off the bench.

The Wallabies are coming off a hefty 42-8 loss to the All Blacks in the opening match of the Rugby Championship in Sydney. They take on the All Blacks at Wellington’s Westpac Stadium on Saturday night, looking to keep their Bledisloe Cup chances alive.