The Wallabies have announced their team to face the All Blacks in Auckland on Saturday, in their second clash of The Rugby Championship, with Quade Cooper slipping back into the starting line-up.

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Cooper makes his long-awaited return following a serious knee injury sustained during last year’s Rugby World Cup Bronze Final against Wales.

His return to the starting fold shifts Berrick Barnes out one place to inside centre. Barnes retains the goal-kicking duties after an impressive run-of-form which has seen him kick 19 of 23 attempts in Test matches this year.

Another backline change sees the versatile Adam Ashley-Cooper switch from wing to fullback. Experienced winger Drew Mitchell takes up the position vacated by Ashley-Cooper on the right wing.

Scrumhalf Will Genia will captain Australia for the second time after David Pocock was ruled out with a knee cartilidge injury.

Meanwhile, the two changes to the starting forward pack from last week’s opening Bledisloe Cup Test have both been forced by injury, with Ben Alexander slotting in at tighthead for Sekope Kepu, while Michael Hooper runs out at openside flank.

After initially not naming the bench the selectors have now named the 7 players on the bench. Twenty-five players travelled to New Zealand..

After coming off the bench last weekend Stephen Moore is on the bench again, poised to achieve a notable milestone in Auckland, where he will make his 72nd Test appearance if he enters the game as a substitute. Moore’s next appearance would tie Jeremy Paul as the most capped hooker in Australian rugby history.

Wallabies: 15 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 14 Drew Mitchell, 13 Rob Horne, 12 Berrick Barnes, 11 Digby Ioane, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Will Genia, 8 Scott Higginbotham, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Dave Dennis, 5 Nathan Sharpe, 4 Sitaleki Timani, 3 Ben Alexander, 2 Tatafu Polota Nau, 1 Benn Robinson

Replacements: 16 Saia Fainga’a, 17 James Slipper, 18 Radike Samo, 19 Liam Gill, 20 Nick Phipps, 21 Anthony Fainga’a 22 Kurtley Beale