Fired-up All Blacks hooker Keven Mealamu believes the Wallabies will sorely miss prop Benn Robinson as they attempt to quell New Zealand's ruthless scrum on Saturday night.

Mealamu, impressed by Australia's front-row development, paid due respect to the Wallabies scrum but identified Robinson as a key figure in improving their traditional Bledisloe Cup Achilles heel.

The world-class loose-head prop is sidelined with a serious knee injury, foregoing a reconstruction in the slim hope of playing in next month's Rugby World Cup.

Sydney-born Auckland product Sekope Kepu has admirably filled the void at No.1 in fine displays against Samoa and South Africa but Mealamu felt 42-Test Robinson's experience and class were hard to replace.

"He's been a real cornerstone for them over the past couple of years, so I think he'll be a big loss," the 83-Test veteran said.

"He's definitely been a stand-out player for them.

"We've seen quite a bit of improvement there from the Wallabies ... but up front that's where it all starts for us."

It's not only the absence of Robinson but also tighthead James Slipper (ankle) that has Australia exposed, meaning Kepu and Ben Alexander, particularly, will be in the sights of the gnarled All Black front-row of Mealamu, Wyatt Crockett and Owen Franks.

The Wallabies must also pray neither of their props get injured early as reserve Pek Cowan has meagre Test experience and was shaky in some scrummaging sessions last week.

Coach Robbie Deans knows the scrum is once again Australia's biggest concern, describing the All Blacks set-piece as a "weapon", but felt they were now far better equipped to hold firm.

"Certainly two years ago if we lost a bloke like Benn Robinson it would have been the end of the world," he said.

"We've worked hard and we believe we've made progress and we get to test that on Saturday."

Mealamu, tight-head Franks, Brad Thorn and Kieran Read were all rested from New Zealand's opening two Tests following a taxing Super Rugby season and have added considerable weight and experience to put their pack at full strength.

Giving the refreshed hooker extra incentive in his return is the chance to make amends for the 26-24 loss to the Wallabies in Hong Kong last October, when the All Blacks uncharacteristically conceded a 12-point second-half lead.

Making it harder to bear were the Wallabies' wild celebrations.

"You don't forget those sorts of things," Mealamu said. "Maybe it's just me but those things stick in my mind and I just can't wait for Saturday.

One of seven changes, winger Sitiveni Sivivatu (knee) remains under an injury cloud after failing to train on Tuesday before bouncing back on Wednesday.

Cory Jane, a two-try hero in the 40-7 thumping of South Africa, is on stand-by.

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