New Zealand vs. Australia: 5 Key Battles in Bledisloe Cup Match

Australia travel to Eden Park on Saturday in a rare position of power as they attempt to beat New Zealand and claim their first Bledisloe Cup series win since 2002.

It's been 14 years since the Wallabies last won a fixture in New Zealand, and you'd have to look back to 1986 to find Australia's last victory at Eden Park—they've lost their last 15 consecutive games at this particular venue.

Following last Saturday's momentous 27-19 win over the All Blacks in front of a Sydney crowd, Michael Cheika requires even more from his World Cup contenders if they're to finish the job this weekend.

A Bledisloe Cup triumph would do wonders for the morale of either side lucky enough to clinch it, and we outline some of the key battles promising to dictate Saturday's encounter.

1. Ben Smith vs. Israel Folau

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New Zealand are happy to have Ben Smith taking up the No. 15 jersey this weekend, after it was feared the Highlanders star picked up a concussion while trying to prevent an Adam Ashley-Cooper try in Sydney.

There are few players on the world rugby scene who exude class in the same manner, but for all the safety and reassurance Smith might bring to his back line, Israel Folau brings another brand of quality.

The two full-backs are severely juxtaposed in style, one might say, with Smith the ever-reliable safeguard capable of buccaneering runs and Folau the line-breaking buccaneer capable of providing a safeguard.

Dominating the second-half possession proved essential to Australia's comeback against South Africa—the Springboks accounted for just 21 percent—and it will be difficult to envision them winning in Auckland unless they can take control again.

To that end, Folau's rare talent for piercing enemy lines will, as always, be pivotal to the visitors' chances of success, coming up against arguably the best defensive full-back—or No. 15 in general—in the world.

2. Dane Coles vs. Stephen Moore

Keven Mealamu's impending retirement had left a question mark over New Zealand's vacancy in the No. 2 jersey, but Dane Coles has made quite literal strides to mark it as his own in this year's tournament.

The Hurricanes hooker displayed a giant gait to ghost in for a superb try against the Springboks, and Coles came close to replicating that feat against the Wallabies last Saturday, showing a massive carrying threat.

Australia captain Stephen Moore may not be quite as potent with ball in hand, but he certainly makes his way into the debate of who's the world's best hooker, centred in one of the world's finest packs.

Wins over Argentina and South Africa came largely thanks to Australia's imperious set-piece performance, and All Blacks star Coles will be expected to orchestrate the line-out in particular with surgical accuracy.

On top of all that, while it may seem like only a small point, Moore's responsibility as captain will weigh more heavily than ever on Saturday, with the attached video touching upon how the little differences can often make the biggest impact.

3. Dan Carter vs. Quade Cooper

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It was hardly a vintage display from Dan Carter in Sydney last time out, with the France-bound fly-half gasping to conjure up some of his previous best, before bowing out of the international game altogether.

Similarly, we failed to see the best of Bernard Foley in Sydney, and as the Wallabies' No. 10 jersey continues a seemingly never-ending rotation, Quade Cooper has been recalled to start in at Eden Park.

Ahead of cuts being made for the World Cup, this could be Cooper's last chance to really impress, or at the very least raise his hand as a candidate to start in England, having been disappointing in the Rugby Championship.

Carter is also in need of improvement after missing both conversion attempts last Saturday and not casting his usually assured figure kicking from hand, sending several probing efforts wayward.

Although Sonny Bill Williams brings ample positives into the line, having a character as familiar as Ma'a Nonu back at inside centre also promises to benefit the All Blacks' No. 10.

4. Richie McCaw vs. Michael Hooper

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Eden Park will witness history being made on Saturday as McCaw trots out for his 142nd Test outing in Auckland, and what fitting context for the back-row legend to become the most capped player ever.

However, things didn't go to plan as he tied Brian O'Driscoll's cap record last Saturday, where the suffocating presence of Michael Hooper and David Pocock played a huge role in keeping the New Zealander quiet.

It takes a considerable talent—or in this case, talents—to perform such a task to specification, and this particular head-to-head promises to once again be a potential match-decider in its own right.

Rugby World's Ian Stafford outlined the effect of playing two opensides last weekend, as Hooper jostled, scrapped and fought for every 50-50 ball, grounded or otherwise, alongside Pocock.

Hansen has brought Victor Vito into his XV for an injection of that same rucking enthusiasm, but only time will tell if his introduction is sufficient in quelling the threat of Cheika's most dangerous duo.

5. Nehe Milner-Skudder vs. Henry Speight

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Nehe Milner-Skudder couldn't have held out much hope for a more successful Test debut than the one that materialised in Sydney last Friday, bagging two tries to announce his All Blacks arrival in sensational fashion.

Drew Mitchell was the defensive victim on that occasion, as the Toulon talent found himself dragged infield on numerous occasions, but Saturday will see Henry Speight return to the Wallabies XV for his first international appearance of the year.

The death of Speight's grandfather led to him being granted compassionate leave in July, per the official Australian Rugby website, giving the Brumbies star hardly any time to make his impact on Cheika's selection.

To do that, he'll be looking to put a stop to Milner-Skudder's forays in a manner that team-mate Mitchell could not, and it wouldn't go amiss for that left wing to provide a larger threat of its own, either.

Milner-Skudder was out of this world, admittedly, but it will take more than one game for Hansen to be convinced of the winger's talent, hoping to see replicated success in Auckland.

The Hurricanes dazzler has shown this year that he's capable of such consistency, but the returned Speight will be hugely motivated to impress, too.

All statistics come courtesy of ESPN Scrum.