But the 15-year Wallaroos veteran firmly believes a group of largely unknown women can end Australian rugby's Auckland curse by breaking the New Zealand hoodoo.

Burrows, 38, will start at loosehead prop in the Australia's Test against New Zealand at one of the most feared venues in world rugby.

It looms as a historic night as the Australian and New Zealand men's and women's teams join forces for the first time to play at the same venue on the same day.

The dark cloud hovering in the background is a Wallabies drought at Eden Park since 1986 and the All Blacks' world champion aura.

Burrows, a three-time World Cup Wallaroo who has trained with Wallabies skipper Stephen Moore, says the women's team will go into its clash with no fear of the demons of the past or the Wallabies that have fallen before them.

"This is just massive for us. I really feel the emotion every time I play for Australia because I'm immensely proud," Burrows said.

"For us, this is our first time at Eden Park. We've got nothing to lose so hopefully we can win and inspire the Wallabies to follow.

"Imagine that, if we go out and win and then the Wallabies do the same. I truly believe the Wallabies will be supporting us and hoping we are successful.

"It could be a fairytale day for Australian rugby at a place that doesn't have very good memories for Australian rugby."

The Wallaroos will throw 12 debutants into an Eden Park cauldron for a massive moment in women's sport.

Australian women's sport is enjoying a popularity boom on the back of the Olympic Games sevens gold medal, the new AFL women's competition and better pay deals in netball, cricket and soccer.

The ACT Brumbies women's programs are riding the wave of success, with the Super 7s series for under-14s, 16s and open competitions doubling in participants to 24 teams and 300 players in the past year.

Burrows, 37, still remembers taking a bag full of old and borrowed boots to her games when she started playing in 1995 to try to convince female spectators to have a crack at rugby.

"People are starting to acknowledge women can be athletes and that it's OK," Burrows said.

"If we can have success, it will do amazing things for our sport. Playing at Eden Park makes you lift that little bit extra, and that little bit extra could be the difference in getting over the line.

"Women's rugby is growing, I think there are players contacting our club [Royals] every week asking how to get involved.

"It's awesome not to have to beg people to come and play. I still try to convince people, but it's different now.

"Times are changing and I feel really excited that I'm still around for that. Rugby is growing, women's sport is growing. Now that I'm getting older I have to work harder than ever, but it's worth it."

Burrows is keen to play on to earn a spot in what would be her fourth World Cup campaign next year.

The mother of two has seen women's rugby evolve from a park football competition to a growing beast boasting Olympians and some of the best athletes in Australia.

She has embraced the change, and is now trying to evolving from being a hooker to being capable of playing at international level in any front-row position.

"Off and on over the years I've played a bit of prop as well ... I don't care where I'm playing, I've told the coaches I'll do whatever the team needs," Burrows said.

"I'm just excited to see the growth of this game and the talented girls we've got coming through. I'm happy to be on the field in whatever position I can play."

AUSTRALIA V NEW ZEALAND

Saturday: Wallaroos v Black Ferns at 2.55pm; Wallabies v All Blacks at 5.35pm. Both games at Eden Park and live on Fox Sports. Times in AEDT.

Wallaroos team: 15. Sarah Riordan, 14. Cobie-Jane Morgan, 13. Nareta Marsters, 12. Hanna Sio, 11. Shontelle Stowers, 10. Ashleigh Hewson, 9. Iliseva Batibasaga, 8. Liz Patu, 7. Vesinia Schaaf-Tatufa, 6. Millie Gray, 5. Chloe Butler, 4. Alisha Hewett, 3. Hana Ngaha, 2. Ivy Kaleta, 1. Louise Burrows. Reserves: 16.Alanna Patison, 17. Emily Robinson, 18. Danielle Meskell, 19. Grace Hamilton, 20. Kirby Sefo, 21. Ariana Kaiwai, 22. Katrina Barker, 23. Cheyenne Campbell.