It's a risk. But having both David Pocock and Michael Hooper starting in the Wallabies back-row is at least worth a try.

The basic fact is that Pocock and Hooper are Australia's two best forwards by a country mile, and not fully utilising them is a gross waste for a team that isn't exactly overflowing with riches.

The selection of Pocock, a specialist openside flanker, at No 8 just emphasises what a major problem that position has turned into for Australian Rugby. It has been a long time since the Wallabies have had a consistent match-winning No 8, and the inability for anyone to be constantly dominant in that spot has caused immense problems. The last good one was Toutai Kefu, and his departure is still being felt by the Wallabies 12 years on. Wycliff Palu has been used often, but has never been able to produce against the All Blacks.

That's one of the reasons why Australia hasn't won the Bledisloe Cup for well over a decade.

Pocock is not your normal No 8 - but so far this season when he has been tried in that position he has held up. But this is his first real test - starting against the All Blacks is a mean task. You know one thing though - Pocock will be up for it.

The Pocock-Hooper combination has forced Wallabies coach Michael Cheika to play safe in the second-row area- and bring in two old hardened performers- Dean Mumm and James Horwill. They are Cheika's insurance cover.

Horwill may have had an average Super Rugby season, losing the plot several times. But the attrition rate among Australian locks has been heavy, with Sam Carter and now Rob Simmons sidelined, and they need someone with experience to be in charge of that set piece.

Horwill certainly did enough when he came on as a replacement against the Springboks in Brisbane to indicate that he is again in the right headspace. And he chose the right moment to produce his best Test performance for a considerable length of time. Even Cheika admitted when he visited the ESPN studios late last week that compared to the early rounds of Super Rugby where he was constantly in trouble with the referee, Horwill was now a far more relaxed and focused person.

The pressure will also be on Scott Fardy to be prominent at the lineout, while no doubt both Hooper and Pocock will be used as jumping alternatives.

The most pleasing selection is of Scott Sio in the front-row. He deserves his chance at loose-head prop, and with time could develop into something notable.

As with No 8, the Wallabies front-row is far from being settled, and it is high time some props convinced the Test selectors that they want the spot, and want it to be theirs forever. That depends on mental toughness.