Australia v New Zealand - teams and prediction
ROUND SIX PREVIEW: It’s a case of all or nothing as Australia take on New Zealand in the final round of the Rugby Championship on Saturday in Perth.
This year’s Rugby Championship is set for a dramatic conclusion as three teams are in the running for the title.
South Africa top the standings on 15 points, with New Zealand (14) and Australia (11).
The Wallabies must defeat the All Blacks and rely on the Los Pumas upsetting the Springboks in order to have a chance at winning the Rugby Championship.
Given South Africa’s superior points differential, the Wallabies will likely need a bonus-point win to have a chance at claiming the silverware.
On the flipside, should the All Blacks record a win they can bag the title.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has not given up hope of wrestling the title back from South Africa.
“Get up for the match, doesn’t matter who we’re playing, where we’re playing, so there is an opportunity this weekend,” he said.
Robertson’s side already secured the Bledisloe Cup after a 33-24 win over Wallabies last week.
The All Blacks have made six changes to their run-on side, with veteran flyhalf Beauden Barrett (shoulder) and prop Ethan de Groot (concussion) among the outs.
Prop Tyrel Lomax (broken thumb) and winger Caleb Clarke (ankle) will also miss through injury.
Damian McKenzie has been handed the No.10 jersey, while winger Leicester Fainga’anuku will play his first Test since the 2023 World Cup.
Saturday’s match will mark James Slipper’s 151st and final Test match, with the 36-year-old Wallabies prop announcing on Wednesday that he will be retiring from international rugby after that.
The Wallabies will want to give Slipper a fond farewell and will be desperate to snap a 10-game losing streak against the All Blacks.
“They will be hugely motivated,” warned Robertson.
“Been a while since they’ve beaten us, there’s a little bit of hype around them, so it’s going to be a hell of an occasion.”
Captain Harry Wilson told Australia to send off “ultimate team man” Slipper with a performance to be proud of.
“He’s going to be missed because we love him to death,” Wilson told reporters.
“He’s going to empty the tank one final time and that’s what he’s done 150 times for the Wallabies.
“To go out there one final time with Slippy, it’s going to be an honour, and we can’t wait to go out there and put a performance in for him to be proud of.”
Players to watch:
For Australia: The big news is the inclusion of Will Skelton in the starting line-up. The strong-running forward has flown in from France to bolster the Wallabies. Playmaker Tane Edmed is another one that will have his work cut out for him, and he is partnered with scrumhalf Jake Gordon. Playing in his final match, it is going to be an emotional day for James Slipper, who will want to deliver a standout performance.
For New Zealand: One player who will want to impress is playmaker Damian McKenzie, and a good show could finally make the No.10 jersey his. Coming in as an injury replacement, Fabian Holland joins the pack of forwards who will be out to dominate.
Prediction:
@rugby365: New Zealand by 10 points
Teams:
Australia:15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Filipo Daugunu, 10 Tane Edmed, 9 Jake Gordon, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Will Skelton, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Rob Valetini, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Josh Flook.
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett (vice-Captain), 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Peter Lakai, 7 Ardie Savea (vice-Captain), 6 Simon Parker, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett (captain), 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Tamaiti Williams.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 George Bower, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Wallace Sititi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Ruben Love.
Date: Saturday, October 4
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
Kick-off: 18.05 (22.05 NZST; 10.05 GMT)
Referee: Matthew Carley (England)
Assistant referees: Karl Dickson (England), Morné Ferreira (South Africa)
TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)
