New Zealand v Australia, Bledisloe Cup - Teams and Prediction

PREVIEW: All Blacks coach Dave Rennie said on Thursday, “It’s not about me” as he prepares for his first clash against Australia for the first of two Bledisloe Cup Tests, three years after his abrupt exit from the Wallabies.

Rennie said he harbours no resentment towards Australian rugby ahead of Saturday’s opening Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park, where the All Blacks put a formidable 23-year unbeaten streak in Auckland on the line.

He brushed off suggestions he would have a point to prove following the unceremonious end of his three seasons as coach of Australia, when he was replaced by Eddie Jones just eight months out from the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

“It’s not about me. You know, I’ve got no regrets,” Rennie said.

“I got to work with some really good people, people I still have a lot of time for. It’s just a part of the game that we’re involved in.

“I’ve loved coming back here now and working with these guys [All Blacks]. We’re highly motivated this week, but it’s not about me.”

Rennie’s focus was on naming a team amidst a host of injuries – the latest a calf tear to Richie Mo’unga that also rules the key playmaker out of next week’s Test in Sydney.

Damian McKenzie moves from fullback to flyhalf, with 145-Test veteran Beauden Barrett at fullback in his first start of the year.

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Continuity

There are six starting changes from the team that lost 28-43 to South Africa in Baltimore a month ago.

The most notable is the return of veteran forward Scott Barrett, the brother of Beauden, nearly a year after his last Test, when he was New Zealand’s captain.

Having been sidelined by back surgery in May and replaced as skipper by Ardie Savea, Barrett returns for his 90th Test after just two brief provincial appearances.

Rennie said the 32-year-old had made an immediate impact on a team led by seasoned hooker Codie Taylor in the absence of the injured Savea.

“Scott’s come back really well. Certainly, when we trained this morning, you can see his influence, his leadership.”

The backline features two other changes from the Baltimore Test, with winger Leroy Carter and centre Quinn Tupaea restored.

Wallace Sititi returns to the back row while Josh Lord joins Scott Barrett in a new-look lock pairing.

Meanwhile, Australia coach Les Kiss called up rookie midfielder Isaac Henry in the only change to his starting team as they seek to end an 11-match losing streak to New Zealand and 23 years without the Bledisloe Cup.

Henry, who played the first of his four Tests two months ago, replaces Queensland Reds teammate Hunter Paisami, who was banned for four weeks for a dangerous tackle during Australia’s 42-38 upset of the Springboks in Perth.

Kiss resisted the urge to restore Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii to the midfield, where the star rugby league convert has played most of his 25 Tests.

Instead, Suaalii remains on the wing, where he shone against the Springboks.

Kiss said he wanted to keep changes to a minimum after extending the unbeaten start to his coaching reign to five matches.

“It’s a shame to lose Hunter for sure, but we know Isaac has really done well in the opportunities he’s had and he’s impressed in training,” Kiss said.

“We just want to persist with the continuity of that back three and see how that can go for another week. We know that aerial game is pretty important.”

Players to watch:

For New Zealand: Will Jordan was a standout during the Greatest Rivalry series, and his finishing ability will be crucial to New Zealand’s success. There will also be eyes on Leroy Carter, who struggled defensively against the Springboks. Damian McKenzie’s shift to flyhalf is the big talking point following injuries to Ruben Love and Richie Mo’unga – he’s been a standout at fullback but will be tested in the No.10 jumper. In the pack, Wallace Sititi will have massive boots to fill in the absence of Ardie Savea, whilst Scott Barrett will also be under the microscope following his return. The All Blacks’ front row will also be tested given their performance against the Springboks and how the Wallabies managed to hold their own at the scrums against the world champions.

For Australia: Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s high-ball ability will test the All Blacks in the air, after a blinder against the Boks and with the All Blacks struggling in that department during the RGR series. Ben Donaldson will want to stake his claim as Australia’s first-choice No. 10 alongside Ryan Lonergan, whose kicking game could prove the difference. The Wallabies’ front row will also want to make a statement at scrum time to give their backs freedom to thrive.

Prediction:

Rugby365: New Zealand by 10 points

Teams:

New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Josh Lord, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 Ethan De Groot.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Josh Moorby.

Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Isaac Henry, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Harry Potter.

Date: Saturday, October 10
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.10 NZST (17.10 AEDT; 06.10 GMT)
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (RFU); Damian Schneider (UAR)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)