Ryan Lonergan on potential matchup with All Blacks star Cam Roigard

Wallabies scrum-half Ryan Lonergan has pinpointed some of the traits that make Cam Roigard such an “attacking threat” for the All Blacks, with a potential matchup between the two No. 9s looming in the Bledisloe Cup series opener.

Lonergan has started in all eight Wallabies Tests so far this season, including the last five under relatively new coach Les Kiss. The Australians are on a six-match unbeaten streak, but will need to avoid defeat at Eden Park in order to get that run going.

Meanwhile, the All Blacks will look to bounce back after losing the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry Test series 3-1 to the Springboks. Roigard featured in the run-on side in all four of those fixtures, after starting the year with three starts in the Nations Championship.

Roigard helped the Hurricanes claim a drought-breaking title in Super Rugby Pacific last season, which included a Qualifying Final triumph over an ACT Brumbies outfit captained by Lonergan, but the pair are yet to face off at Test level.

Lonergan debuted for the Wallabies 374 days ago, as of Tuesday, coming off the bench against the All Blacks at Eden Park. But after becoming a regular starter for the Wallabies, and the go-to goal-kicking option in recent matches, the stage is set for this potential positional duel.

“He’s a great player. He’s been class for them, he’s a great attacking threat. He’s obviously got a great left foot there,” Lonergan told reporters in Auckland.

“It’s going to be exciting. Obviously versed each other a few times, not at Test level though.

“It’d be good fun. He’s obviously a threat around the ruck and set-piece time around the scrums so we know that, we previewed that a little bit and we’ll do our best to shut him down.”

Coach Joe Schmidt selected Lonergan in the First XV for the opening Wallabies match of the new Nations Championship, with the No. 9 joining Carter Gordon in the halves. But Gordon has spent some time on the sidelines since then due to injury.

Ben Donaldson has strung together a few starts, while Declan Meredith debuted in Wallaby gold after a breakout season with the ACT Brumbies. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips remains uncapped but is another option in the 34-man squad.

“It doesn’t really change the way I play a whole lot,” Lonergan said.

“Each 10 has their own stamp that they can put on the game and I think the 10s we have in here are quite unique in their own way.

“In terms of my game, I don’t think it’s really changed how I approach what I need to do and not do throughout the game.

“I’ve really enjoyed playing alongside all the boys so far. They’d been doing a great job, they’ve been helping each other out and been performing so it’s been nice.”