After an injury-hit Super Rugby season, Hanigan failed to make the bench for the first two meetings with New Zealand this campaign.

He returned to the pine for matches against South Africa and Argentina, before starting in the return clash with the Springbok.

He wasn’t able to stop the Wallabies suffering a 23-12 loss that day, a result which heaped more pressure on embattled coach Michael Cheika, but he did enough to keep hold of his spot at flanker.

With statistics this week revealing how the Wallabies have been blown off the park time and time again in the five minute period before and after half-time, Hanigan and his fellow forwards have been tasked with muscling up against the All Blacks pack.

"Some of the numbers around scoring movements both pre and post halftime, we just need that extra bit of concentration and focus on how we can manage those periods better," Cheika said.

"We have to try to maintain - and take - control when we need to in those times and have that resolve so that if something does go against us we're straight back into it and not putting our heads down at all.

"That comes with having a good plan there so believing in that and making sure you've prepared mentally.

“Then, who knows, maybe we'll own the last five or last 10 in the match.”

The major change in the lineup for Saturday’s Test is that of Israel Folau switching from fullback to outside centre.

The Wallabies have won just one of five Rugby Championship matches this season and has lost the prior two Tests against the All Blacks.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 5.30pm.