All Blacks coach Graham Henry believes the Wallabies remain a very potent attacking force despite the loss of in-form first five Quade Cooper.

Matt Giteau will start in the number ten jersey for tonight's Tri-Nations clash against the All Blacks in Melbourne with Waratahs play-maker Berrick Barnes at second five.

Henry says the loss of Cooper is not as major a loss as some are making it out to be. He says Giteau and Barnes are very fine players of world class calibre so Cooper's absence will not impact on the Wallabies' game at all.

Kickoff is at 10pm.