Intro:

Australia plan to test out New Zealand's rookie centre Malakai Fekitoa, who is likely to replace an absent Conrad Smith in Saturday's Rugby Championship opener.

New Zealand are all but resigned to being without 77-test veteran Conrad Smith for the first Bledisloe Cup match of the season at the former Olympic stadium in Sydney.

Smith returned home to Wellington on Friday to be with his expectant wife - with the baby now expected two weeks before it was originally due - and 22-year-old Malakai Fekitoa, who has played just one test, was named as his replacement.

Hard-tackling Fekitoa made his starting debut against England in June and All Blacks captain Richie McGaw believes he can fill the void at outside centre if Smith fails to return.

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper respects Fekitoa after his "cracking year with the Highlanders" but said the hosts will target the test novice.

Script:

SOUNDBITE: (English) : Steve Hansen, All Blacks Coach (on Conrad Smith):

"Everything over there would have to be great, he'd have to be mentally in-tune, and then we'd have to get him back here by at least one or two o'clock on the Saturday afternoon."

SOUNDBITE: (English) Steve Hansen, All Blacks Coach:

"We're not worried about that at the moment, we're just hoping that everything goes well for them, and it's their first child so it's quite an exciting time for them."

SUPER CAPTION: Steve Hansen, All Blacks Coach

SOUNDBITE: (English) Michael Hooper, Wallabies Captain

"Yeah I think there's still an opportunity for him to come back, so whoever runs out on the field, I mean, Fekitoa had a cracking year with the Highlanders. Conrad is obviously a seasoned veteran there, so both quality players. For us, I guess, we understand that it's a new player in Fekitoa who will come in, so you've got to try out those areas and see what you can do."