All Blacks wing Ben Smith believes they have to watch Kurtley Beale carefully when they face the Wallabies on Saturday.
Australia have been weakened by the axing of star fullback Israel Folau.
But Smith says, in Beale, the Wallabies have a player that is just as dangerous.
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Smith tells Stuff New Zealand: “He [Folau] is a world-class player.
“But Kurtley Beale has got that same X-factor, and he’s a quality player too.
“Kurtley Beale is pretty dangerous. He has a good sidestep.”
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Smith knows New Zealand will have to be at their best in Perth if they want to hold on to their Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup title.
With the Wallabies having failed to win the Bledisloe Cup since 2002, Smith says: “The past doesn’t matter.
“Whoever turns up on Saturday and plays the best footy will give themselves the best chance to get the Bledisloe.”