Slipper set to reach record 150th cap for Australia

James Slipper will become Australia's first player to reach 150 caps when he starts in the Bledisloe Cup opener in Auckland on Saturday.

Slipper, 36, who has been named as loose-head prop against New Zealand, is the third player to reach the 150-cap milestone after the All Blacks' Sam Whitelock and Wales' Alun Wyn Jones.

Since making his debut for Australia in 2010, Slipper has represented the Wallabies at four World Cups.

Australia coach Joe Schmidt said Slipper's caps achievement was "phenomenal".

"The thing I love about Slips is that he's still trying to get better, he's still working on his game to add to the team as best he can. He's a massive team man," said Schmidt.

Slipper became Australia's most-capped player last September when he made his 140th Test appearance in the 31-28 defeat by New Zealand in Sydney, going ahead of George Gregan on the list.

Australia lead the Rugby Championship with two rounds to play and are one point ahead of South Africa and New Zealand.

They are also trying to win the Bledisloe Cup, contested annually between Australia and New Zealand, for the first time since 2002.

Fly-half James O'Connor has also been named in Schmidt's starting XV after joining Leicester Tigers last week. The 35-year-old had a brief stay in the UK to meet his new team-mates before making the long journey to New Zealand.

All Blacks captain Scott Barrett has been ruled out with a shoulder problem, so Ardie Savea will lead them at Eden Park.

New Zealand suffered the heaviest Test defeat in their history when they were beaten 43-10 by South Africa in Wellington earlier this month.

"Once you've been hurt and stung like we were, the best thing to do is play," said All Blacks coach Scott Robertson.