Richie Mo'unga talented but Beauden Barrett is world class - Michael Cheika

Australia boss Michael Cheika is expecting Beauden Barrett to be the preferred number 10 over Richie Mo'unga for the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship opener in Sydney next Saturday.

Mo'unga has been pushing for his selection with consistent performances in the recently concluded Super Rugby season that saw his team Crusaders clinch the title for the ninth time.

Crusaders assistant coach Ronan O'Gara has vouched for an idea to keep in-form Mo'unga at number 10 while Barrett to be pushed to fullback even though the latter has the full confidence of All Blacks head coach Steve Hansen.

Even though Mo'unga has been impressive, Australia head coach Cheika said it would be tough to look past the experienced Barrett at fly-half role when the two teams meet on 18th August.

"It doesn't really concern me I suppose but what I do know is this - Beauden Barrett has been the best player in world rugby for the last two years in a row and he's an exceptional player," Cheika said.

"I've coached teams that have felt his wrath personally and his skill and ability.

"There's no doubting that Mo'unga is a class player and a good young fella but Barrett is class. I think there's no doubt he's a player the All Blacks value very much and he'll be out there next Saturday."

Earlier, Hansen had steered the mind games as he said the Wallabies will begin as favourites in Syndey considering they won the previous encounter between the two teams in October last year but Cheika believes it is 'irrelevant'.

"He's a great coach but I think he may have had that one wrong because I don't think many of his players would believe it to be honest," Cheika added.

"I don't think it's very realistic. It's pretty irrelevant at the end of the day."

The last time Australia went on to claim the Bledisloe Cup was way back in 2002 with New Zealand winning the title on the next 15 occasions.