Wallabies five-eighth Quade Cooper hopes he can form a partnership with halfback Will Genia as enduring Steve Larkham's and George Gregan's after the pair were named to play alongside each other in Saturday's second Test against England.

The ANZ Stadium clash will mark the first time the Reds duo line up as Australia's halves pairing at Test level after Genia was named by coach Robbie Deans on Thursday in the No.9 jersey.

"They're big boots to fill and even being compared to guys like that (Larkham and Gregan), it's something that's going to take me and Will a long time to really come into that," said Cooper, who had a star turn in the 27-17 first Test victory.

"They played over 50 Tests (together) and we're coming up to 15 Tests and our first Test together so it's a pretty big comparison to have but it's one that we aspire to.

"It would be a great goal. To be held in the same regard as those guys, Larkham and Gregan, that'd be a goal that I'll definitely set for myself."

Genia however is just happy to be returning to the starting halfback role after watching from the bench as NSW No.9 Luke Burgess turned in a strong performance against the English in Perth.

The 22-year-old said he was fully fit after a medial ligament strain suffered in the final round of the Super 14 and he was looking forward to taking on England in Sydney.

He said he had fond memories of the last time he played against England, scoring a try in the 18-9 win for the Wallabies at Twickenham on last year's spring tour.

"Hopefully we can play well on Saturday and create some more," he said.

"There was every chance I could have been on the bench again, I thought he (Burgess) was outstanding and I'm just grateful to have the chance to play some footy."

Deans said sending Burgess back to the bench along with fellow Waratah Berrick Barnes, who makes way for Matt Giteau to earn his 80th Test cap, had been a tough call to make.

"To be honest it was probably one of the harder selection processes I've encountered, most evident at nine, 12 and 15," he said.

"But good problems to have ... they understand it's about the squad functioning effectively and they all own a piece of it regardless of who gets the opportunity to represent the group.

"It was a great performance from Burge, no doubt about it. It was one of the best halfback performances we've seen in a long time.

"Gits obviously was named in the first instance last week, Barnesy also has given a lot to the group in the last 10 days."

Not tough for Deans was sticking with the forward pack destroyed by England in the scrum in Perth, given injuries have restricted his options.

And having backed the inexperienced front-row of Salesi Ma'afu, Saia Faingaa and Ben Daley, Deans is eager to have his faith repaid.

"We've kept faith and, as I referred to post-match last week, we're confident that this group will be better for that first outing," Deans said.

Australia's only other change from the squad that tackled England in Perth was the recall of Adam Ashley-Cooper from an ankle injury to the bench at the expense of Waratah Kurtley Beale.

Australia: James O'Connor, Digby Ioane, Rob Horne, Matt Giteau, Drew Mitchell, Quade Cooper, Will Genia; Richard Brown, David Pocock, Rocky Elsom (capt), Nathan Sharpe, Dean Mumm, Salesi Ma'afu, Saia Faingaa, Ben Daley. Res: Huia Edmonds, James Slipper, Mark Chisholm, Matt Hodgson, Luke Burgess, Berrick Barnes, Adam Ashley-Cooper.

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