Wallabies coach Michael Cheika has rolled the dice and named David Pocock at No.8 for the Bledisloe Cup opener, and Rugby Championship decider, against the All Blacks in Sydney on Saturday.

Pocock will start in the back-row alongside Michael Hooper in a move that has been the hottest topic in Australian rugby this year.

"Both players have been in outstanding form for club and country this season and have shown their class in sharing the spot in the first two matches," Cheika said. "They now have an opportunity to start a Test together which they are very excited about."

The duo are joined in the back-row by Scott Fardy while props Scott Sio and Sekope Kepu, and veteran locks Dean Mumm and James Horwill, are the other new faces in the pack from the eight that started against the Pumas.

In the backs, Matt Giteau returns at inside centre after missing the trip to Argentina; he is joined by Toulon team-mate Drew Mitchell, who has come in for Joe Tomane. Quade Cooper misses the squad entirely after mixed performances against South Africa and Argentina, with Matt Toomua and Kurtley Beale claiming the bench utility roles.

"The way they both played in game one [against South Africa] and game two [against Argentina[ both as starter or off the bench, I think they forced my hand into saying 'let's see if this can try and work'," Cheika said of his selection of Pocock alongside Hooper. "I believe it can [work] and the way we've set up our team up accordingly will go to support that."

Pocock said his selection in tandem with Hooper, to go hunting all-important turnovers against the world champions, was "obviously a big challenge and I'm pretty excited about it".

"Hoops and I have been talking a fair bit about playing alongside each other."

Hooper was equally excited at what they could achieve together.

"It's a cool new challenge to get that relationship going on the field to benefit the team," Hooper said.

Cheika said Wycliff Palu would play club rugby for Manly on Saturday, while winger Henry Speight, who is available after serving suspension, would be considered for selection in the second Bledisloe Test in Auckland.

Australia: Israel Folau, Adam Ashley-Cooper, Tevita Kuridrani, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Bernard Foley, Nick Phipps; David Pocock, Michael Hooper, Scott Fardy, James Horwill, Dean Mumm, Sekope Kepu, Stephen Moore, Scott Sio. Replacements: Tatafu Polota-Nau, James Slipper, Greg Holmes, Will Skelton, Ben McCalman, Nic White, Matt Toomua, Kurtley Beale.