As the pair walked through the tunnel at ANZ Stadium on Wednesday, having not played a Test with each other since the 2015 World Cup final, they joked with each other, clearly buoyed by each other's company back in a gold jersey.

While Folau was Australia's go-to man all of last international season, Beale's return to the fold after a stint in the UK has energised teammates; his presence infectious.

"You grow that extra leg when you know you have him beside you," Folau said of Beale. "He brings a lot more confidence to your game and it's exciting. Guys like KB, they don't come around too often. You want to try and make the most of playing alongside him and he's a special player. Everyone knows that. You give him the ball and he's always going to create something out of nothing. Guys around him play with him and they grow."

These are words of praise usually reserved for Folau himself; a master at creating something out of nothing and the All Blacks' No.1 threat they will be looking to nullify.

Folau, who has scored six tries in his last three Tests, will look to play off Beale, who is likely to be named at No.12 for Australia despite not having played a minute of football in three months.

It is a combination conceived at Super Rugby level for the Waratahs and one that became almost second nature for the pair.

"You're stupid if you're not looking for Izzy," Beale said. "He's been incredible in the June series. He's been on fire, so for me I don't look to overdo it. We've got a good understanding of what we want from each other and we don't think about it too much, that's the best thing about it. It makes the job a lot easier when you're out there on the field."

In a year plagued by off-field dramas and shocking on-field results, rugby fans are as disillusioned as ever over the state of the game.

A victory over New Zealand, who will themselves be hurting after drawing their recent series against the British and Irish Lions, has the potential to reignite passion amongst those once upon a time diehard rugby supporters who are sick and tired of Bledisloe defeat after Bledisloe defeat.

"Everyone will have their opinions and thoughts outside of us as a playing group and whether or not they think we're a chance to win or not," Folau said. "We're definitely confident going into the game.

"We don't think about the result too much. It's irrelevant. For us it's about coming out here and putting our best footy forward and if that's good enough to win, then so be it. Otherwise we can't think about the result too much otherwise you build that pressure for yourself which is not necessary."

Beale has being touted as Australian rugby's saviour, so is he feeling the pressure just days out from the biggest Test of the year?

"Not really, mate ??? no nerves, just more excitement.," Beale said. "There's a bit of responsibility there to help these young guys come through and help them out in their preparation and in their mindset to tackle the week. We're all wanting the one thing.

"Obviously that's important to win back a lot of the fans but I think more importantly for ourselves as a team if we get the right result on the weekend, it's definitely going to help us [get] the boost of confidence that we need to be able to win the Rugby Championship."

As for his troublesome hamstring, Beale conceded there was a degree of doubt in his mind as to whether he would pull through but has full faith he can play an instrumental role on Saturday.

"There's been so much work been put into it," Beale said. "I'll be ready that's for sure. It's just a matter of making sure my recovery and preparation is right leading up to the game."