Australian rugby had it all this week, and that isn't even counting the David and Goliath battle yet to play out at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday night, or the crowning of just the sixth Wallabies Test centurion in Adam Ashley-Cooper.

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper said on Friday he had no problem with a speculated review of his leadership and only hoped the crisis gripping the gold jersey for the past two weeks would be a "galvanising moment" for the Wallabies.

"I haven't felt overwhelmed, I've felt comfortable in the fact [that] out of this we have a really nice leadership group and a real group that can talk openly with each other," Hooper said.

"If you've got that then you're comfortable and you're not bottling anything, and I don't feel like I've had to bottle anything from the last couple of weeks.

"As a leadership group it's been nice to try and overcome this thing. It could be a galvanising moment for us."

Australian rugby needs that moment like never before.

The side's credibility is on the line, as well as the individual reputations of a number of key figures within the Australian Rugby Union.

An unlikely victory against New Zealand at the spiritual home of the Wallabies will not relieve those figures – the captain, the coach, the chief executive, board members – of their responsibility to take an active role in the rebuilding of a once-proud and honourable brand.

Nor will the work stop with the end of another Bledisloe Cup campaign. Tougher challenges await the Wallabies, including a five-week, four-Test tour of Europe that will serve as a World Cup preview and a test of the team's unity and resolve.

World cup-winning former All Blacks coach Sir Graham Henry offered a stark assessment of Ewen McKenzie's Wallabies in Brisbane on Friday.

"I don't think they're a better team today than they were in the 2011 Rugby World Cup," Henry said.

"It's hard to look back and compare, particularly when you're not involved. But my gut feeling is they're not as good today.

"They've got a few injuries – [Will] Genia and [Quade] Cooper are quality halves. I know that Quade attracted a bit of attention, but he's a quality rugby player.

"And then you've got Stephen Moore not playing, [David] Pocock not playing. When those guys get back on deck that's going to strengthen the experience, know-how and ability of that team."

Hooper is not shying away from the scrutiny.

"I think everybody's position is being questioned," he said.

"I'm just part of that system, part of that set-up. I know there's reviews occurring externally and you just have to deal with the process.

"There's a fair bit of process going on at the moment and you have to respect that."

The ARU has enlisted a strong leader in injured captain Moore to help chart a new course off the field. It is important that opportunity for honest self-assessment is not wasted.

In the meantime, there are 80 minutes on offer for Hooper and his Wallabies. Two halves of rugby to restore pride and honour among a loyal but faltering supporter base.

"The thing I'll be proud of is if we're able to put in a physical performance and show everyone, with what's happened this week, that we're able to turn it around and we're able to put out that we love playing in the Wallabies jersey," Hooper said.

"That's what I want out of this game, to show how much we care and how much we're willing to try our hardest to get the result tomorrow."

Beale's future is clouded and uncertain, pending the outcome of a code of conduct hearing next week for sending lewd messages relating to former business manager Di Patston.

On Friday, Hooper stood by his decision to support his teammate, a stance for which he has been heavily criticised, but he made a clarification.

"Like every player has said this week, we don't condone the things that Kurtley has done in the past," he said.

"Hopefully there's an outcome for him where he can stay in Australian rugby. That's being done in an external process, but as a mate and as a teammate and a fellow player, our support is there with him. That's been the message from all the players this week, including myself.

"But that's not to mistake the fact that we don't condone the messages and the instances that occurred."

The All Blacks, meanwhile, have been left to one of their lowest-profile preparations in memory. While scandal rocked their trans-Tasman rivals, New Zealand enjoyed the luxury of focusing solely on football.

They have their own small point to prove after a 27-25 loss – their first in almost two years – to South Africa two weeks ago.

It pales in comparison with the huge amount, real and symbolic, riding on this match for the Wallabies. On top of the turmoil of the past two weeks and the side's two most recent losses, the last time these old foes met, in Auckland two months ago, it ended in 51-20 humiliation for Australia.

"[There is] a big point to prove," Hooper said.

"Eden Park, this week, all these things go on. The team is judged solely upon the 80 minutes [on Saturday].

"If we can put out a product that shows we are fully committed, that we love playing in this jersey and we want to beat these guys ... I'm sure everyone's so keen and really willing to put in a 100 per cent performance."