Stephen Moore has one last opportunity to beat the All Blacks and the man who replaced him as Wallabies skipper expects he will make it count.
Michael Hooper paid tribute to the veteran Australian hooker as he prepares for his final Test match on home soil, Saturday's third Bledisloe Cup encounter at Suncorp Stadium.
The 34-year-old has just this clash and the end-of-year tour of Japan and Europe before the end of his storied international rugby career.
Moore never lifted the coveted trans-Tasman trophy and only tasted victory against New Zealand just five times.
But Hooper, who succeeded Moore when he relinquished the captaincy and announced his retirement plans in June, said the no-nonsense Rockhampton product was relishing the chance to go out of Bledisloe Cup rugby as a winner.
"He's been really happy this week," Hooper said.
"He has been smiling and really enjoying (himself) - despite being down on the Gold Coast and not right here in his home in Brisbane.
"Playing against these guys, a big Test match, it's going to be fantastic for him and he's been such a great person for this country, this jersey.
"For a lot of guys in this team, myself included, (he is) a really strong mentor and (I'm) really excited to see what he is going to bring to the game because his form has been really, really strong off the bench and he has contributed to the back end of the game."
Moore has again been named on the reserves, with Tatafu Polota-Nau starting in the No.2 jersey, and the Wallabies are counting on him making an impact in the second half when they hope the match will be there for the taking.
"It would be nice to see him cross the line as well tomorrow," Hooper said.
"He's always given it in the 120-odd jerseys he has earned, he's given it all."
At the other end of the spectrum, Saturday marks blindside flanker Jack Dempsey's very first match against New Zealand.
Hooper was keen to see how the abrasive 23-year-old would handle it.
"He's a big athletic guy who can do some really good things with ball in hand and in defence," he said.
"He's got some really good aggression and I think we need that against the All Blacks.
"I'm excited for him. He's been really kicking down the door to get in these games and I'm sure he'll be fired up."
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