Key events
The All Blacks have cultivated one of the most rock solid brands in sport, but their choice of front-of-shirt sponsor could be a rare misstep.
For anyone heading to the MCG tonight – or there already – a trip to the MCC library is always a treat. True to form, they’ve even published a Bledisloe fact sheet.
This is worth a few minutes of your time as the two squads go through their paces out in the middle of the G.
Here’s more on the selection of the two line-ups.
New Zealand XV
By contrast, the in-form All Blacks make only one change, with skipper Sam Crane nursing a neck strain allowing Dalton Papali’i an opportunity in the back row. Coach Ian Foster also has the luxury of easing the class of Anton Lienert-Brown and Samuel Whitelock back into action off the bench after spells out, while Cam Roigard is set to debut from the bench.
“As the final Rugby Championship Test, there is much at stake in this game,” Foster said. “We have learned a lot from two stern Tests so far this year and there is huge excitement about playing Australia at this iconic ground.”
New Zealand: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Scott Barrett, 6 Shannon Frizell, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 9 Aaron Smith, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 11 Mark Telea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Will Jordan, 15 Beauden Barrett.
Reserves: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Samuel Whitelock, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Cam Roigard, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Caleb Clarke.
Australia XV
Almost exactly six weeks before Australia’s World Cup opener, and for a Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand, Eddie Jones has made seven changes to the starting XV that was humbled at home to Argentina. This overhaul includes an entirely new pairing in the halves, but neither of the two co-captains. It is a sobering indication of where the Wallabies are at, at this late stage of a four-year cycle.
Angus Bell, Nick Frost, and Tom Hooper come into the pack, while in the backs, Carter Gordon makes his highly-anticipated starting debut, alongside the recalled Tate McDermott, Jordan Petaia, and Andrew Kellaway.
James Slipper, Richie Arnold, Nic White, and Quade Cooper all drop to the bench, Len Ikitau is in a race against the clock to make the World Cup after suffering a fractured scapula against the Pumas, while Fraser McReight and Tom Wright have been jettisoned altogether.
“We are a team that wants to make Australia proud and Saturday night is a great opportunity to light up the MCG,” Jones said. “A young starting 15 and vibrant, experienced finishers will give us the 80 minutes we want.”
Australia: 1 Angus Bell, 2 David Porecki, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 4 Nick Frost, 5 Will Skelton, 6 Jed Holloway, 7 Tom Hooper, 8 Rob Valetini, 9 Tate McDermott, 10 Carter Gordon, 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Samu Kerevi, 13 Jordan Petaia, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 15 Andrew Kellaway.
Reserves: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Richie Arnold, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Nic White, 22 Quade Cooper, 23 Izaia Perese.
For 20 years, the Bledisloe Cup has resembled corporal mortification on the northwestern side of the Tasman Sea, but Stuart Walmsley has found at least one reason for Australian optimism.
The All Blacks have held the trophy since 2003, but each year Australian rugby fans find reason to hope, and this time it comes in the form of youth and Mark Nawaqanitawase. The 22-year-old Sydneysider moves like swiftly running water, and will start on the wing for the Wallabies on Saturday as part of a hugely inexperienced team. The stage couldn’t be any bigger: the MCG, and a projected crowd of 85,000.
Angus Fontaine did his best to put a positive spin on the wreckage of Australia’s defeat to Argentina.
Last week, Australia were a rabble and the Springboks turned them to boerewors inside an hour. Against Argentina they were brave in defence and audacious in attack but dumb errors and poor composure hobbled them. But with 32% possession, it was a miracle they got as close to winning as they did.
Preamble
Jonathan Howcroft
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Australia v New Zealand in round three of The Rugby Championship. Kick-off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is 7.45pm AEST.
It’s been a horror series so far for the Wallabies, and a nightmare return to the hot seat for Eddie Jones. After consecutive defeats – the first a thumping by the Springboks, the second after being outplayed by the Pumas – questions are once again being asked about the health of Australian rugby. With the World Cup on the horizon, a morale boosting victory over New Zealand is needed.
But, typically, the All Blacks will be no pushovers. They’ve owned the Bledisloe Cup for most of this millennium and in recent weeks have flexed their muscles against Argentina and South Africa. A breathtaking first-half spell against the Springboks a fortnight ago was as potent as any seen this hemisphere for some time. Coach Ian Foster will relish the opportunity to add the finishing touches to his side’s World Cup preparations on hostile turf.
I’ll be back with teams news and insights from the two camps shortly. If you want to get in touch at any point you can always send me an email.
