Reece Walsh appears to be the front-runner to wear the No.1 jersey for the Rugby League World Cup knock-out stages after being named to start against the Cook Islands.
Brisbane game-breaker Walsh opened Australia's campaign against New Zealand before veteran James Tedesco had his turn in their win over Fiji.
Both were among their team's best players, giving Kangaroos coach Kevin Walters a selection headache.
Despite his impressive showing that included three try assists, it appears Sydney Roosters premiership captain Tedesco may have paid the price for the Kangaroos' below-par showing in their 36-22 win over Fiji last Sunday.
He has been named on the bench, with Walters turning back to Walsh for his side's final pool game.
With the unbeaten hosts needing to stiffen their defence across the park, Tom Dearden has won the race to partner Cameron Munster in a third halves pairing, with Sam Walker relegated to the reserves.
Walker has been in the headlines since the Fiji match with his Roosters outfit withdrawing their contract offer.
Walters has recalled rested forwards including skipper Isaah Yeo and his battle-hardened Penrith teammate Liam Martin, who'll line up in the second row alongside Jacob Preston, who came off the bench against Fiji.
After coming off the bench against Fiji, who made easy metres through the middle in a gallant defeat, Pat Carrigan and Tino Fa'asuamaleaui are back in the starting pack.
David Fifita and Keaon Koloamatangi have been demoted for the Queensland Country Bank Stadium clash.
Centre Bradman Best did enough in his first Kangaroos match to keep his spot ahead of Latrell Mitchell.
Ethan Strange, who replaced the injured Mitchell Moses in the squad, is set to make his Test debut after being named on the six-man bench in the No.14 jumper.
Meanwhile, New Zealand have recalled some heavy-hitters to face Fiji on the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Dane Gagai, who made his Kiwi debut against the Kangaroos in game one, is back in the centres for Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad after missing Sunday's 82-16 win over the Cook Islands.
There are three changes in the starting forward pack with Moses Leota named at prop alongside fellow Test regulars Isaiah Papali'i and Briton Nikora.
Premiership-winning Roosters front rower Naufahu Whyte is back on the bench after missing the 14-try romp against the Cook Islands.
Australia: Reece Walsh, Jack Bostock, Kotoni Staggs, Bradman Best, Tom Trbojevic, Cameron Munster, Tom Dearden, Patrick Carrigan, Harry Grant, Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Jacob Preston, Liam Martin, Isaiah Yeo (c). Res: Ethan Strange, Keaon Koloamatangi, Cameron Murray, Reuben Cotter, Lindsay Smith, James Tedesco, Sam Walker, Latrell Mitchell, David Fifita, Blayke Brailey
New Zealand: Keano Kini, Jamayne Isaako, Dane Gagai, Casey McLean, Ronaldo Mulitalo, Kodi Nikorima, Jahrome Hughes, James Fisher-Harris (c), Jeremy Marshall-King, Moses Leota, Isaiah Papali'i, Briton Nikora, Joseph Tapine. Res: Te Maire Martin, Naufahu Whyte, Erin Clark, Xavier Willison, Charnze Nicoll-Klokstad, Scott Sorensen, Leo Thompson, Jacob Laban, Tanner Stowers-Smith.