Valetini suffered calf tightness, an issue that has upset his 2025 Test season. It caused him to miss a Test against Fiji, one of the British & Irish Lions Tests, and the win over South Africa at Ellis Park.
Pete Samu has taken his place in the team travelling for the Eden Park Test. It is expected that Tom Hooper will play blindside flanker, a position he has played three times this season. He has featured more at lock, where either Jeremy Williams or Lukhan Salakaia-Loto would be expected to start if Hooper moved.
It is a potential blow for an Australian side that leads the Championship by one point, looking to gain a key win in their quest to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2003, and to break the All Blacks' 52-game unbeaten streak at Eden Park.
After the All Blacks' record loss to South Africa in their last outing, in Wellington, the Australians sensed a better chance of achieving the two wins they will need to relieve New Zealand of the trans-Tasman trophy.
However, returning halfback Jake Gordon said that the loss means nothing.
He told rugby.com.au, "They're always tough challenges. Their incredible record at home at Eden Park is something you definitely wouldn't take lightly.
"We know the threat they can be.
"We are very aware of them when they play at their best. They're a good team who have performed well for a long time. We're expecting a good Test match."
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