Australia's Berrick Barnes admits the outcome of this weekend's Bledisloe Cup clash may come down to a battle of the boot.

While the Wallabies have attempted to keep ball in hand wherever possible in their opening two Tri Nations fixtures, the undefeated Springboks have shown the value of a superior kicking game in the absence of last season's Experimental Law Variations.

The All Blacks' repeated use of the high-ball at Eden Park also proved decisive as the Wallabies surrendered an early lead, eventually going down 22-16.

And although dry conditions are predicted at ANZ Stadium, Barnes expects the Kiwis will be equally kick happy on Saturday night.

"We'll be doing our best to give the fans what they want and that's a good contest of running rugby but obviously conditions and how the game's going will determine that," he said.

"Kicking's going to be a part of it no matter how much we try and say we want it to be running rugby, there's going to be an element of kicking to it because field position - as we've seen with the way the laws are now - plays a big part in winning games.

"If you're down the right end you'll go a long way to winning it, so kicking will play a part but I certainly hope that when we get the opportunity to play football we will."

Barnes pointed to the return of Dan Carter, and the inclusion of Luke McAlister ahead of Ma'a Nonu at inside-centre, as a sure sign the Kiwis will again look to control proceedings with the boot.

"I think it gives them a lot more options I suppose in terms of kicking, (having) a left and right footer will obviously help them get out of trouble.

"Luke's obviously a very powerful player, good on his feet so he'll bring another element to their team for sure."

The likeable Queenslander concedes he and fellow playmaker Matt Giteau both have room for improvement in terms of their kicking in general play.

"Some of our kicks haven't been as well directed as we'd like," he admitted.

"And that's where (Springboks scrumhalf) Fourie du Preez was phenomenal last week his kicks were basically within a sixpence of each other and the chasers came down right with the ball.

"We've got to make sure our contestable kicks are that ... not caught 10 metres away from the defensive line."

Meanwhile, the 23-year-old insists his mistimed pass which hit George Smith in the head and denied the Wallabies an almost unassailable lead at Eden Park, no longer haunts him.

"What's done is done, that's a couple of weeks ago and I was honest enough with it - I know I stuffed up," he said.

"You're going to have games like that where things happen and you've just got to move on.

"We know what's coming Saturday night, it's going to be tough both teams are desperate.

"We need a win to keep not only our Tri Nations hopes alive but also the Bledisloe so, it's pretty important and the boys have been really looking forward to it and we'll be ready."

Hooker Stephen Moore added: "As far as home Tests go this is as big as it's been for a while I suppose.

"We're playing at our home ground, it's the biggest ground in the Tri Nations - the biggest capacity crowd - so it's good for us.

"We've got the home crowd behind us, we're excited to be back at home playing and the guys are really excited about Saturday."