Australia v New Zealand, Bledisloe Cup - Teams and Prediction

PREVIEW: The Bledisloe Cup is locked away safely for another year in the All Blacks’ trophy cabinet, but that by no means suggests this clash is a dead rubber.

New Zealand coach Dave Rennie urged his side Thursday not to take their foot off the gas with the Bledisloe Cup already secure, warning Australia can be dangerous when “hurting”.

The All Blacks whipped the Wallabies 50-19 at Eden Park last weekend to secure the trans-Tasman trophy for a 24th straight time.

They head into the return clash in Sydney on Saturday eyeing a 13th straight victory over their arch-rivals.

“Last week was a big week, with it being our first game back on New Zealand soil after a long tour away and the Bledisloe Cup on the line,” said Rennie.

“We put in a performance befitting the occasion. Now we need to back that performance up.

“The Wallabies are a proud side, and they’ll be hurting after last week,” he added. “It’s a great challenge for us to now face them in front of their home crowd in Sydney.”

Continues below…

A week in rugby is a long time… can the Wallabies pull it off?

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Rennie made three changes to his starting side, with Fabian Holland brought in at lock to replace Josh Lord while George Bower was preferred as loosehead prop to Ethan De Groot.

Josh Moorby got the nod at wing to replace Leroy Carter, who faces a stint out after injuring his ankle while scoring a try in the victory at Auckland.

They were among eight changes to the match-day 23, with forwards Asafo Aumua and Anton Segner (both concussion) and Ethan Blackadder (calf) all missing.

Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, prop Xavier Numia, loose forward Du’Plessis Kirifi, halfback Cortez Ratima and midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai come into the squad as reserves.

They join prop Pasilio Tosi, loose forward Shannon Frizell and Ioane on the bench.

Australia made four changes to their starting XV with Declan Meredith elevated to playmaker, earning his fourth cap at fly-half after Ben Donaldson was ruled out with a minor upper leg injury.

Prop Aidan Ross comes in for Angus Bell, who will be used off the bench to add strike power in the second half after the Wallabies were overrun in the final 40 minutes at Eden Park.

Australia went into that game on an unbeaten six-match streak and were only trailing 17-14 at the break before falling to pieces.

Ross is one of two changes to the front row, with hooker Josh Nasser replacing Brandon Paenga-Amosa alongside the experienced Allan Alaalatoa.

Australia go into the game without influential centre Len Ikitau, who is concussed.

In his absence, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii shifts to outside centre, partnering Isaac Henry in the midfield, with Harry Potter coming into the side on the left wing.

With Carter Gordon and Tom Lynagh both sidelined by injury, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is poised for a Test debut off the bench as the replacement playmaker in a call coach Les Kiss said was made 90 minutes before the team was announced on Thursday.

Meredith debuted against France in July as the Wallabies’ seventh different flyhalf in the past 17 Tests, with injuries largely behind the mass turnover.

“I’ve got a lot of trust in what he’s got in his game; he takes the line on, good kicking game, very solid defender,” Kiss said.

“And he [McLaughlin-Phillips] is a physical No.10, just like Declan.”

Kiss said he had spoken to veteran prop James Slipper and experienced playmakers James O’Connor, Kurtley Beale and Bernard Foley – all playing Super Rugby Pacific next year – but that now was the time to test the next generation.

“It’s an opportunity for other guys to be feeling it, tasting what Test rugby’s about, not only the playing environment, but the training environment as well,” he said.

“While we’ve got that opportunity, we’ll use it.

“Those boys have been through the mill; we know what we can expect from them.”

Players to Watch:

For Australia: All eyes will be on rookie flyhalf Declan Meredith, who will have to rely on the experienced Ryan Lonergan on his inside to control the match. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii is back in the midfield, and his ability to break the line and get his outside backs into space will be crucial, although his high ball ability might be missed in the back field. The tight five will have to impose themselves to ensure clean, quick ball for their backs, who can be dangerous on attack if given the opportunity.

For New Zealand: The back three of Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan and Josh Moorby are all lethal finishers and should Australia afford them similar opportunities as last week, it could be a tough day at the office for the hosts. In the pack, the only change sees George Bower coming into the starting line-up for Ethan de Groot. Bower made a massive impact during the first Test of the Greatest Rivalry series against the Springboks at 10Bet Ellis Park when he came off the bench and won n a penalty which ultimately swung the result. Du’Plessis Kirifi returns to the side and will play a crucial role at the breakdown should the game get loose when he comes off the bench alongside Highlanders skipper Timoci Tavatavanawai, who isn’t just a devastating ball runner and carrier, but also, much like Kirifi, possesses a fantastic ball-stealing ability.

Prediction:

Rugby365: New Zealand by 18 points

Teams:

Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Isaac Henry, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Josh Canham, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Filipo Daugunu.

New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Rieko Ioane.

Date: Saturday, October 17:
Venue: Accor Stadium, Sydney
Kick-off: 16.00 AEDT (18.00 NZST; 05.00 GMT)
Expected weather: A morning shower in the area; otherwise, partly sunny with a high of 20 degrees Celsius and a low of 13 degrees Celsius and easterly winds of 19 Kilometres per hour.
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Damian Schneider (Argentina)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)

*With additional reporting by AAP & AFP