Sopoaga replaces Barrett for Australia clash

5:39 PM BST

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  ESPN staff

Lima Sopoaga has been confirmed at fly-half as New Zealand named a squad featuring four changes for Saturday's trip to face Australia.

Regular starter Beauden Barrett is unavailable after sustaining a head knock, meaning Highlanders' Sopoaga will win a 13th All Blacks cap at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane.

Also earning a starting role is Waisake Noholo, who steps up in the wake of Nehe Milner-Skudder's shoulder surgery while there are two changes on the bench -- TJ Perenara and Anton Lienert-Brown making the 23.

All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen said: "Both teams have their own goals and expectations. From Australia's point of view, they'll be desperate to win as they haven't done so for some time. For us, our goal is to never be satisfied at where we're at, and that means it's greater than just the outcome.

"It's about how we play, individually and collectively as a unit. We're always striving to get better every game and this week is no different.

"As always, to do that, our preparation has to be spot on and bone deep. It's an individual focus for each player. The job of the team management is to facilitate a training week which provides them with clarity and the right amount of intensity so that they can arrive on Saturday ready to hum.

"It'll be another great opportunity for this young team to show what they've learnt throughout the year and playing at Suncorp Stadium will be another fantastic learning experience for them all. It's a great ground with a lot of tradition and there'll be huge support for the All Blacks, which we're looking forward to."

With two victories over the Wallabies in August, the All Blacks have already ensured they will maintain their winning Bledisloe Cup run, which stretches back to 2002.

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Sopoaga replaces Barrett for Australia clash