SATURDAY SEPTEMBER 28th 2024 SKY STADIUM WELLINGTON NZ
Wallabies Make Key Changes Ahead of Bledisloe Cup Clash
Feisty halfback Nic White has been dumped from the Wallabies side to play the All Blacks on Saturday, but coach Joe Schmidt has otherwise resisted the urge to promote star bench performers from the thrilling first Bledisloe Cup in Sydney.
Pietsch to Make His First Test Start as Koroibete is Ruled Out
The return of Jake Gordon to starting halfback, at the expense of White, was the only unforced change made by Schmidt, where the Wallabies will be seeking to win their first test in New Zealand since 2001.
A wrist injury to star winger Marika Koroibete has opened the door for former Aussie Sevens standout Dylan Pietsch to earn his first Test start, while Josh Flook has been named on the bench as the reserve outside back.
In the only other change to a settled team, Ben Donaldson has been recalled to the bench as the reserve playmaker, with Tom Lynagh dropping out due to a niggly hamstring injury. Lynagh did not get on the field in the Wallabies’ 31-28 loss to the All Blacks in Sydney.
Schmidt has opted to keep towering lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto on the bench for the Wellington clash, despite his strong case for a starting spot after an impressive second-half performance off the bench in Sydney. Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams will take the starting roles in the second row.
But Schmidt has clearly opted to retain the second-half impact value of Salakaia-Loto, which also came from Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Tate McDermott and Allan Alaalatoa in Sydney.
Pietsch delivered a strong performance and has been entrusted with his first start after Koroibete was sidelined with a wrist injury. It’s uncertain whether Koroibete’s injury impacted his uncharacteristically poor showing in Sydney, but the long-term future of the two-time John Eales medallist with the Wallabies is now in question.
Reflecting on the 2022 season, when Koroibete withdrew from the Spring Tour to focus on his Japanese club, there’s no assurance that the 32-year-old will be available for the November Test matches.
And with the next dates in the Wallabies’ calendar coming with the British and Irish Lions test series in July next year, the star winger’s selection chances may not be as straight-forward as they have traditionally been in most of his stellar rugby career.
White Demoted as Wallabies Seek Victory in New Zealand
The demotion of White will see yet another change at no.9 for the Wallabies, who have swapped the starting halfback 17 times in the last 25 tests.
Wallabies
Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Dylan Pietsch, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon, Harry Wilson (c), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost, Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, Angus Bell.
Reserves. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Josh Flook.
All Blacks Adjust Line-up with Barrett Replacing McKenzie
After eight consecutive starts in the All Blacks’ No. 10 jersey, Damian McKenzie has been demoted to the bench.
Coach Scott Robertson has made a change at first five-eighth for the second Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies in Wellington on Saturday night, replacing McKenzie with 130-test veteran Beauden Barrett.
McKenzie’s benching comes after another hot and cold performance in the All Blacks’ narrow 31-28 escape against Australia in Sydney last Saturday, where he blew a likely try with an audacious flick pass.
But Robertson insisted the change wasn’t form related and said he had always planned to give Barrett at least one game at No. 10 to build depth in the squad.
McKenzie has started every test since Richie Mo’unga signed in Japan following last year’s Rugby World Cup, ruling him out of All Blacks contention.
While McKenzie has shown flashes of individual brilliance, the Chiefs playmaker has failed to convince as a test first-five, particularly around his game management.
The All Blacks have gone five tests in a row without scoring a single point in the final quarter and that area of his game has come under intense scrutiny.
Robertson had been unwavering in support of McKenzie throughout the Rugby Championship but with the Bledisloe Cup secure, he has decided the time is right to give someone else a turn.
Cane Set for 100th Test in Final Home Game for All Blacks
The All Blacks haven’t won a test in Wellington since 2018 but they are determined to snap that barren run and send departing veterans Sam Cane and TJ Perenara out on a high.
Cane’s final game in New Zealand will double as his 100th test for the All Blacks.
All Blacks
Will Jordan, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Caleb Clarke, Beauden Barrett, TJ Perenara, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett (capt), Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot.
Reserves. Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Jacobson, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, David Havili.
Controversy Looms Over Referee Selection for Bledisloe Cup Match
Referee: Nika Amashukeli, Assistant Referees, Karl Dickson, Damian Schneider, Television Match Official. Eric Gauzins
Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) Don’t expect a good game with this referee. Last game he was in charge he was terrible. He was the ref in the England v All Blacks game in Dunedin earlier this year and made a hash of things. The other officials are ordinary as well, so we can only pray there is no controversial decisions made.
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