Australia's George Smith would love nothing more than to celebrate a century of Test appearances with a win at Eden Park.

Smith will become the 10th member of the 100 club, joining fellow Aussies David Campese (101), Stephen Larkham (102) and George Gregan (139), when the Wallabies take on New Zealand in the Bledisloe Cup and Tri-Nations opener this weekend.

The Australians have not won in Auckland for 23 years, nor held the coveted Bledisloe Cup since 2003 and he admits reaching such a huge milestone playing against the All Blacks will be a special moment.

"Over the 10 years I've really enjoyed just the contest of actually playing the All Blacks. But when you do win that Bledisloe Cup it does make it a bit more special," the evergreen openside flanker said.

"When you're playing a team like the All Blacks they have been the barometer for a number of years.

"Playing in this game at Eden Park where we have the opportunity to break that hoodoo that a number of you (media) guys have been speaking of, it's a good opportunity for the team to perform well."

Smith may have lost the dreadlocks he sported earlier in his career but unlike Samson his strength has not disappeared along with the hair.

Neither has his consistency, skills or mental strength diminished and he continues to terrorise oppositions every opportunity he gets.

Renowned for his abilities to turn over ball or at the very least frustrate the opposition, he is enjoying the new laws at the breakdown.

"I seem to be around that area a lot of the time and if I'm quick enough to get to that ball first I'm not going to let it go," he declares.

It should make for an intriguing battle with the equally talented Richie McCaw, who returns to lead the All Blacks after a six-week layoff with a knee injury.

"You're going to have to be more effective in that area if you're attacking in that area so you're not allowing the defensive player to get in that area," Smith said.

"We'll definitely be diligent in and around that ruck area.

"I guess over the years the breakdown area has been a key component of the game. With Richie coming back I'm sure he'll be a big influence on their team."

The pair have been locking horns for a decade. They first encountered each other at under-19 level in 1999, the year before the Australian made his international debut against France - where he was sinbinned by Kiwi referee Paul Honiss but still named man of the match.

"I learned a lesson that night about who George Smith was," McCaw said with a wry grin.

"I think every match that I've played against him, whether it be Super 14 or Tests, it's always been a pretty big challenge.

"He doesn't seem to have a bad game. He doesn't very often make poor decisions and that's what makes him a pretty classy player because he does that every time.

"He's pretty smart in terms of when he chooses to do something and he usually does it pretty well and has an impact on the game.

"When you think things are going all right all of sudden he will be there and he'll thieve the ball or he'll create a good opportunity. For the whole 80 minutes you know he's out there."