Several of the changes are injury-forced with Beauden Barett and Ethan de Groot remaining in New Zealand, while Tyrel Lomax (thumb injury) and Caleb Clarke (ankle) will not play this Test. Lomax suffered a broken thumb in the first Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park and after a scan yesterday, will return home to New Zealand this evening.
In the forwards Captain Scott Barrett returns to the side in the number four jersey, partnering Tupou Vaa’i in the second row. Peter Lakai is set for his first Test start, at No.8, after four previous appearances off the bench with Wallace Sititi moving into an impact role, while Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell come into the front row
In the backs Damian McKenzie starts at first-five, Leicester Fainga'anuku will play his first Test since the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and will start on the left wing, and Quinn Tupaea starts in the No.13 jersey for the first time. Will Jordan will make his 50th Test appearance in the All Blacks jersey as he runs out on Saturday.
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All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets)
1. Tamaiti Williams (22)
2. Codie Taylor (102)
3. Fletcher Newell (30)
4. Scott Barrett (85) (Captain)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (45)
6. Simon Parker (4)
7. Ardie Savea (102)
8. Peter Lakai (4)
9. Cam Roigard (13)
10. Damian McKenzie (69)
11. Leicester Fainga'anuku (7)
12. Jordie Barrett (76) (Vice-Captain)
13. Quinn Tupaea (20)
14. Leroy Carter (2)
15. Will Jordan (49)
16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (38)
17.George Bower (23)
18. Pasilio Tosi (11)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (55)
20. Wallace Sititi (14)
21. Cortez Ratima (17)
22. Rieko Ioane (86)
23. Ruben Love (3)
Unavailable for selection: Tyrel Lomax (thumb), Caleb Clarke (ankle), Beauden Barrett (shoulder), Ethan de Groot (concussion), Ollie Norris (back), Emoni Narawa (rib fracture), Timoci Tavatavanawai (fractured radius).
In addition to the changes to the starting XV, there are six changes on the bench for the final round clash in the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship and second Bledisloe Cup Test.
All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said the team was looking forward to building on the performance at Eden Park, as the Rugby Championship goes down to the wire.
“We saw how competitive and determined the Wallabies were in Auckland last weekend, staying in the fight right to the end. We expect another tough contest this Saturday. We have picked a 23 to go toe-to-toe with a quality Australian team.
“It’s all up for grabs in what has been the most even Rugby Championship we’ve ever seen; and we’re here to cap off this competition with a performance we can be proud of.”
MATCH FACTS
- This is the 180th test between NZ and Australia, with New Zealand winning 126 – the most tests between any international opponents (England is next with 143 each against Wales, Scotland and Ireland). It’s also the 161st Bledisloe Cup Test between the two nations.
- The two sides have met twice before at Optus Stadium in Perth, with the Wallabies winning in 2019 (47-26) and the All Blacks winning in 2021 (38-21).
- Will Jordan will play his 50th Test match on Saturday. His first Test was in 2020 against Australia in Brisbane. In his first 49 Test matches, he has scored 43 tries.
