Wycliff Palu has told his Australia teammates that they must up their game if they are to overcome world champions New Zealand next weekend.

The 33-year-old missed his side's opening two games of the Rugby Championship through injury, but is now back among the squad.

Australia have so far won both their games in this year's competition, seeing off South Africa and most recently Argentina, yet Palu acknowledges that an even tougher test awaits.

"I'm pretty lucky to get the opportunity to add to the group, I think the boys have been doing pretty good," he is quoted as saying by Reuters.

"I think [New Zealand] will probably be a lift for us, and they are the world champs so for us to beat them we've got to go to another level, you know. Hopefully come next week we can do that."

New Zealand have also won their opening two Rugby Championship fixtures heading into next week's crucial showdown.