I did a r/t to SYD last month and flying the new ANZ lie-flat from SFO to AKL and onto SYD was wonderful. The seats are not awkward at all, someone was behind me with his wife across the aisle and really enjoyed it. Travelling alone it was nice privacy, a comfortable seat for takeoff and landing (you are allowed to recline during both) and sweet dreams for 8+ hours of sleep on each of the AKL/SYD segments.
The foot stool had a seatbelt and two people joined their spouse or partner for dinner across from eachother.