Kicking will be key, says Barnes

Despite Australia's best intentions to play an expansive brand of rugby in Saturday's must-win Bledisloe Cup blockbuster in Sydney, inside-centre Berrick Barnes admits the outcome will more than likely be determined by the 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.