Michael Cheika's bold move to start David Pocock and Michael Hooper in tandem for Australia against New Zealand on Saturday provides weaknesses for the All Blacks to exploit, New Zealand coach Steve Hansen says.

Hansen said he was half-expecting Cheika to select Pocock out of position at No.8 in order to get both opensides into the starting side together for the first time, especially given the All Blacks struggled at the breakdown and conceded turnovers against Springboks scavengers in their last-start win over South Africa.

David Pocock has been influential in both of Australia's Tests in 2015 © Getty Images

Enlarge

"It's not a surprise is it, particularly after what the Boks did last week," Hansen said in Sydney on Thursday. "They were particularly good with their two fetchers on the track. They caused us problems for a while, so I don't think you needed to be a rocket scientist to work out [Cheika] would probably go with that.

"Whilst that gives [the Wallabies] strength in some areas it probably weakens them in others. So we've just got to make sure we take advantage of those weaknesses and make sure that we don't allow them to have a field day at the breakdown."

New Zealand lock Brodie Retallick had previously suggested that a Hooper-Pocock tandem could leave the Wallabies exposed at the lineout.

Hansen, meanwhile, said he had no intention of underestimating the Wallabies after the flattering words from Cheika, noted his Australian counterpart's emphasis on physicality.

"So far this season, they have talked a lot about physicality and needing to bring that, and I'm sure they will front up on Saturday with lots of it," Hansen said. They've got a talented team and I've been here for a wee while now and there's never been a poor Australian side; and this one isn't one, either.

"[Cheika] has been very complimentary about how good we're going, so I think he must think that we're going to turn up feeling like it's a cakewalk, which is not the case. There's a lot of respect for Australian rugby in our team and we know it will be a tough battle."

Cheika has every right to praise New Zealand, who have lost just two out of 45 Tests since winning the last World Cup, but Hansen said complacency would be an issue for the All Blacks only if they allowed their standards to drop.

"This group is working really hard at the moment and they certainly don't underestimate who we're playing," Hansen said. "We've got a pretty motivated group at the moment. World Cup selection is coming up as well so there's a little extra twist in the tail, so I don't think complacency will be a problem."