No teams have played more matches against one another in rugby history than the Wallabies and the All Blacks, with Saturday marking the 180th time the sides have met on a rugby pitch, exciting a pair of returning Wallabies.
While the All Blacks lead the head-to-head by some margin, the rivalry has seen some of the best games of rugby ever played, and the men in gold will look to channel the Wallabies' best when they look to storm Eden Park on Saturday night.
Watch the Wallabies tackle the All Blacks live and on-demand via Stan Sport.
The match will be a welcome return for both Nick Frost and Harry Potter, with both recovering from injuries to be included in the side.
Frost has had some recent success at the venue, with the Brumbies snapping a 12-year drought in Super Rugby earlier this year - but when it comes to the All Blacks' 52-match unbeaten record, he views it as both something to respect and an exciting challenge.
“I think you definitely got to respect it, first and foremost,” the 32-capped Wallaby explained to reporters following the team announcement on Thursday.
“They've done unbelievably well at this ground for a number of years. You definitely got to respect it but also it's something you look forward to as well, as a player and as a team and as a group.
“We're really excited [about] the opportunity that we have to play them at this ground. We respect what it is, as that record… but also, like I said, we're super keen.”
For Potter, his return to a gold jersey has felt like a long time coming since being forced from the field in Melbourne against the British & Irish Lions, but the winger is ready to make up for lost time.
It has also been helped that the Melbourne fixture has served as a critical moment of confidence for the side that has only grown.
“It does feel like a long time ago, the MCG against the British and Irish Lions,” Potter reflected. “I've been back fitting the squad for a couple of weeks. The boys have been doing really well. I'm really looking forward to Saturday.
"Early days in the season, we probably didn't hit our straps. That Melbourne test, although we lost, we certainly came out strong and it really felt like that was one of the games this year that we started strong and went well.
“[It] gave us some proper confidence. In South Africa, the performances have been promising and making progress each week. I sense a bit more confidence amongst the group now.
“We've had a couple of results and performances that the board has been proud of. But like always, some areas of the game that we want to improve on and certain periods, first half, second half, either one certainly can be better.”
Frost will have a unique challenge on his hands as he looks to take down a physical and imposing Kiwi set piece.
While the side will be without their captain Scott Barrett, the Brumby lock isn’t taking the men in black for granted.
“Their set piece is really good, to be honest,” Frost said candidly.
“They might not have had the best day out last game [against the Springboks]. If that happens to us, we know you're going to look at that area for improvement and they are a very quality side in that area.
“You want to assert yourself through your scrum, your lineout, your maul.
“[Barrett’s] a great leader, so it's going to be a little bit different for them, but they've got plenty of other players on the field. They are world-class. The guys that have been playing there, Tupou [Vaa’i], Fabian Holland, Patty Tuipulotu, are back.
“They're world-class players and they've been going great guns. They're the quality team that has that depth. They're lucky enough to replace a great player with another great player.”
