New Zealand v Australia preview: Cooper returns, Beale out

Mercurial fly-half Quade Cooper has been named in Australia‘s starting XV for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand in Auckland.
However, full-back Kurtley Beale – who made several key mistakes in last week 27-19 loss to the All Blacks in Sydney – has been dropped to the bench.
As expected, Adam Ashley-Cooper moves to full-back and the returning Drew Mitchell has been named on the wing while Berrick Barnes shifts to inside centre at the expense of Anthony Faingaa.
24-year-old Cooper ruptured the anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in the third-place play-off against Wales. He required surgery that resulted in a seven-month layoff but has been struggling to find form since his return in May.
Will Genia will captain Australia in place of the injured David Pocock- who is replaced at openside by Michael Hooper.
Brumbies prop Ben Alexander will start in place of the injured Sekope Kepu at tighthead.
Loosehead prop Wyatt Crockett is the only change to the New Zealand side to face Australia in Auckland on Saturday.
He replaces Tony Woodcock in the No.1 jersey after the Blues’ prop suffered a rib injury in the 27-19 victory over the Wallabies last week in Sydney.
New Zealand: Israel Dagg; Cory Jane, Ma’a Nonu, Sonny Bill Williams, Hosea Gear; Daniel Carter, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw, Liam Messam; Sam Whitelock, Luke Romano; Owen Franks, Keven Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett.
Replacements: Andrew Hore, Ben Franks, Brodie Retallick, Victor Vito, Piri Weepu, Aaron Cruden, Ben Smith.
Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper; Drew Mitchell, Rob Horne, Berrick Barnes, Digby Ioane; Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, Sitaleki Timani, Nathan Sharpe; Dave Dennis, Michael Hooper, Scott Higginbotham.
Replacements: Run On Reserves: Saia Fainga’a, James Slipper, Radike Samo, Liam Gill, Nick Phipps, Anthony Fainga’a, Kurtley Beale