Wallabies winger James O'Connor believes the All Blacks' plans to target Quade Cooper could come back to bite them in Saturday's Bledisloe Cup blockbuster at ANZ Stadium.
Cooper's 19th Test appearance will be his first against the Kiwis after missing the previous two trans-Tasman encounters this season through suspension.
While conceding the unpredictable Cooper adds plenty to the Wallabies attack, the All Blacks are confident they can shut down the 22-year-old, with skipper Richie McCaw publicly vowing to limit the flyhalf's 'time and space' this weekend.
But O'Connor, who was himself one of the Wallabies best players in last week's 41-39 win over the Springboks, is confident New Zealand-born Cooper will handle everything his former countrymen throw at him.
"Like you saw in the Super 14 with Quade, I think he relishes that (challenge) and the more pressure you put on him the more tricky passes he can get away," O'Connor warned.
"And when you rush him he's got that footwork and acceleration to get around blokes, so he'll probably be saying 'bring on the challenge'.
O'Connor added when asked if he's been trying to persuade his close mate to reject advances from the Parramatta Eels and remain in the 15-man game: "It's completely up to Quade but obviously I want him to stay. I love playing with him, he is a good mate of mine but more our focus is on playing this Tri Nations and finishing it off well."
Cooper won't be the only Kiwi-born Wallaby making his first appearance against the All Blacks this weekend, with reserve hooker Huia Edmonds certain to come into the squad on the bench for the suspended Saia Fainga'a.
''I was actually an All Blacks supporter when I was growing up, but that soon changed when my brother (Manuel) played for the Wallabies,'' Edmonds, whose family relocated to Australia when he was four, said.
"I've got my family ringing up from New Zealand and asking for tickets and gear and jumpers so it's a big thing for me."
In other team news, Peter Hynes and Lachie Turner are both in the running to make their first Test appearances of the season when the team is announced on Thursday afternoon, after Drew Mitchell was ruled out with a minor hamstring injury.
Meanwhile, the Kiwis have made five changes to the side that scored a 29-22 come-from-behind win over the Springboks in Soweto last month.
Aaron Cruden's well documented first Test start at flyhalf coincides with Piri Weepu's elevation ahead of Jimmy Cowan at scrumhalf, while exciting Highlanders prodigy Israel Dagg gets his chance on the left wing with Joe Rokocoko rested from the 22.
Up front, blindside flanker Victor Vito will start ahead of Jerome Kaino who shifts to the bench, while Owen Franks regains his No.3 jersey.
Lock Anthony Boric could see some rare game-time after being preferred to Sam Whitelock on the reserves while Crusaders pivot Colin Slade is in line to make his Test debut off the bench.