Wallabies back-rower Lopeti Timani has hinted he will wear the No 8 jersey against the All Blacks in Sydney on Saturday.
Timani has been a favourite of Cheika's since his starting debut last year against Argentina at Twickenham.
A lack of fitness prevented Timani from playing in the Fiji and Scotland tests but he was recalled for the Italy match in Brisbane.
The Wallabies will need his size and strength in what is set to be a mouth-watering back-row battle.
This is my second start," Lopeti said. "Against those guys, they're a good team. When I was starting last year in Auckland I was a bit nervous, but when I got into the game I was excited and pumped to play against them.
"The position I like to play is No 8. I feel I read the game a bit more at the scrum, or when ... I'm carrying the ball."
Australia's last outing against New Zealand was a 37-10 defeat at Eden Park, in a match where the Wallabies' momentum was halted by a disallowed Henry Speight try.
Cheika was livid when the try was overturned, with officials deciding that Dane Haylett-Petty impeded All Blacks winger Julian Savea who was running towards Speight in a bid to tackle him.
"I was gutted that the try wasn't allowed," Speight said. "I remember Dane apologising to me after. It was one of those calls that I reckon was pretty crucial.
"We were right in it and the try would have put us in the lead. That changed the momentum of the game."
Speight is almost certain to start on the wing after overcoming a hamstring complaint that kept him out of the Scotland and Italy fixtures.
"It's a very hotly contested spot," Speight said. "Everyone is trying to put their hand up and their best foot forward. The competition and the contest is bringing the best out of us which is good and there's Marika [Koroibete] and Dane [Haylett-Petty] ... Curtis [Rona] has been running on the wing as well.
"There's a few options and there's people who can slot in. We're keeping each other honest."
The Wallabies will have a rest day on Wednesday before Cheika announces his match-day 23 on Thursday.
The All Blacks are also set to name their team on Thursday.
Photo by: GETTY IMAGES Caption: Lopeti Timani will be a key figure in the Wallabies back-row battle against the All Blacks.