QUADE COOPER WILL return to the Australian starting XV for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup decider against the All Blacks.

Wallabies coach Michael Cheika makes six changes including the return of Cooper at out-half.

Matt Toomua, Will Skelton, Nic White, Henry Speight and Wycliff Palu also get the nod for the Auckland showdown while former Leinster lock Kane Douglas is named among the replacements and could win his first international cap since 2013.

Flanker David Pocock is also on the bench but looks set to make his 50th Wallabies appearance at some point.

Cheika said: “David has had to overcome some hurdles with regards to injury to reach this milestone but the way in which he’s got there through perseverance and a lot of hard work and patience is a great measure of his character.

“He has been one of our best players this season, and the respect he commands from his teammates and peers is a testament to the way he approaches the game.

“He knows that he will play a pivotal part in closing the match on Saturday night, and I expect he will put in a performance that all of Australia will be proud of.”

Australia (v New Zealand)

15. Israel Folau (Waratahs)
14. Adam Ashley-Cooper(Waratahs)
13. Tevita Kuridrani (Brumbies)
12. Matt Toomua (Brumbies)
11. Henry Speight (Brumbies)
10. Quade Cooper (Reds)
9. Nic White (Brumbies)

1. Scott Sio (Brumbies)
2. Stephen Moore (capt, Brumbies)
3. Sekope Kepu (Waratahs)
4. Will Skelton (Waratahs)
5. James Horwill (Reds)
6. Scott Fardy (Brumbies)
7. Michael Hooper (Waratahs)
8. Wycliff Palu (Waratahs)

Replacements:

16. Tatafu Polota-Nau (Waratahs)
17. James Slipper (Reds)
18. Greg Holmes (Reds)
19. Dean Mumm (Waratahs)
20. Kane Douglas (Reds)
21. David Pocock (Brumbies)
22. Matt Giteau (Toulon)
23. Kurtley Beale (Waratahs)

All Blacks change three with McCaw set to break world record in Bledisloe rematch