Wallabies

Rugby Australia unveil the contract extension in Sydney on Friday.

Reported by News Corp to be worth close to $6 million, the contract would make him the highest earner in the Australian game, although the flanker could have commanded more by playing overseas.

Hooper was just the second player in Australian rugby history to take up a five-year deal after ex-rugby league star Lote Tuqiri in 2007.

The new deal will mean the 26-year-old NSW captain will be available to lead Australia at the next two World Cup tournaments in 2019 and 2023, adding to his 82 Tests.

The Wallabies mentor has questioned the merits of his counterpart's bold claim before the first Test, which starts at Sydney's ANZ Stadium on August 18.

Hansen suggested this week that Australia "have a lot of self-confidence and are worthy of starting as favourites".

The statement ignored 16 years of trans-Tasman dominance, the fact Hansen's charges are World Cup holders and have occupied top spot on world rugby's rankings since 2009, and the wisdom of every bookmaker on the planet.

Cheika beamed on Friday when asked about Hansen's take.

The 28 year old was born in the United States and has lived in New Zealand since the age of three but also holds an Australian passport through his mother.

In May, 'Ikale Tahi coach Toutai Kefu said Pulu had expressed a desire to play test rugby for Tonga, who he also qualifies for, but this week confirmed the Canberra-bound flyer now intends to commit his international future to Australia.

Toni Pulu previously represented Niue in sevens but was later ruled ineligible for the Pacific nation.

"It's a load of tripe," Mortlock said.

All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, a master at stirring the pot, made the audacious claim on Monday after selecting another formidable 33-man squad for this year's series, which kicks off in Sydney on August 18th.

Winners of the past two World Cups, the All Blacks have lost just eight of their past 100 Test matches to be the most dominant team in international rugby history.

The Wallabies haven't won the Bledisloe Cup since 2002 and they will be aiming to end that 16-year drought during the upcoming three-match series.

Beale has played 74 Tests since making his international debut in 2009.

But it has been the 29-year-old's form in recent years that has really caught the attention of Mealamu.

While fullback Israel Folau remains the Wallabies' biggest star, Mealamu believes it is Beale who holds the key to victory during the upcoming Bledisloe Cup series.

"I've seen him reinvent himself," Mealamu said of the speedy centre.

Coach Michael Cheika said Polota-Nau would re-join the Australian squad early next month, after missing the June series against Ireland to rest up after a long English season.

"At this stage we are planning for him to be good to go in the first Bledisloe," Cheika said.

“It will help a lot, and help with our depth, although to be honest I was really happy with our three hookers - Brandon, Tolu and Folau - over the June period.”

Polota-Nau now plays for the Leicester Tigers but qualifies for the Wallabies under the Giteau Law, due to his 82 Test caps.

Folau was shown a yellow card before being given a citing commissioner's warning following two separate incidents involving Ireland captain O'Mahony in Sydney, where the Six Nations champions won 20-16 to take the series 2-1.

The Australia full-back faced a World Rugby disciplinary hearing on Wednesday and was given a suspension that is set to rule him out of the Waratahs' Super Rugby clash with the Rebels on Friday.

Folau and Rugby Australia have until Friday morning to appeal against the decision. 

Six Nations champions Ireland beat the Wallabies 26-21 in Melbourne last weekend to level the series at 1-1.

Australia can replace Wales in third spot in the rankings if they defeat Joe Schmidt's side in the final Test at Allianz Stadium before it is demolished and rebuilt next year.

Captain Hooper is desperate to get his hands on the Lansdowne Trophy after what promises to be a gripping showdown.

"It's certainly a big game. It's going to be a great game. We've talked it up as a grand final. There's a trophy on the line," Hooper said.

The end of a whirlwind journey from being a garbage man playing club rugby, to becoming a Wallaby, and the beginning of a new chapter as a Test player.

His passion was certainly not missed by Wallabies tighthead Sekope Kepu, who stood next to the new hooker in the lineup.

“I've got my eyes closed so I can't really what he's going on but I could hear him next to me and we just both belting it out,” he said.

“As I say to the guys coming through, if you're lucky you sing it once, if you're blessed, you get to sing it twice - after the game as well.

Beale was arguably the Wallabies' most dangerous player with ball in hand on Saturday, showing his class with a gliding run across field to set up the Israel Folau try which was eventually disallowed.

His combination with Bernard Foley made the Wallabies attack look far more potent than the Irish charge but Beale said the offensive output will only increase from here.

"I think across the park, combinations are key - especially when there is a short turnaround," he said.