Accor Stadium, Sydney.
Scott Robertson keeps rotating his squad as he searches for the perfect line-up.
Will Jordan Returns to the No. 14 Jersey
The All Blacks’ head coach has made a handful of changes to his side for the Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney on Saturday, including moving Beauden Barrett back to fullback.
This means Will Jordan returns to the No. 14 jersey after having only one opportunity in his preferred position, two weeks ago against the Springboks in Cape Town.
Jordan has started just two of the 35 tests he’s played for the All Blacks at fullback. Earlier this year, Robertson said he saw the Crusader as a fullback who can play wing.
Changes to the Starting Side and Bench
With six changes in total – four to the starting side and two on the bench – loosehead prop Ethan de Groot is back from his neck injury and will start alongside Codie Taylor and Tyrel Lomax in the front row.
Robertson has also named first-year tighthead prop Pasilio Tosi, who debuted against Fiji in San Diego in July, on the bench.
After starting on the right wing in the narrow loss to the Springboks in Cape Town, Sevu Reece moves to the bench.
With flanker Ethan Blackadder still unavailable due to a hamstring injury, and Patrick Tuipulotu not yet match-fit, they and prop Fletcher Newell and Ruben Love were unavailable.
This leaves Blues lock Sam Darry, who wasn’t used off the bench during the tense finish in Cape Town, to provide cover for Scott Barrett and Tupou Vaa’i, who delivered an outstanding performance against the powerful South African pack in the previous match.
All Blacks
Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima, 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, Sam Darry, Luke Jacobson, TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sevu Reece.
Joe Schmidt Leverages Experience Against the All Blacks
New Zealand’s 2023 World Cup assistant coach will face his former team for the first time as Wallabies head coach in Saturday’s Cup opener and Rugby Championship clash in Sydney.
All Blacks fans are understandably nervous, despite New Zealand winning their last seven tests against Australia and remaining unbeaten in Sydney since 2015.
One of the great minds in world rugby, Joe Schmidt joined the All Blacks as a selector in 2021, later serving as a strategist and attack coach for 20 Tests under Ian Foster, including last year’s World Cup in France, where New Zealand fell to South Africa in the final.
Schmidt, along with the Wallabies’ highly regarded New Zealand-born scrum coach Mike Cron, possesses deep insight into the All Blacks system and will aim to leverage that knowledge to their advantage.
Nic White Recalled for Starting Role
Nic White the veteran halfback who steered the Wallabies to their last win over the All Blacks in Sydney has been recalled for a starting role in Joe Schmidt’s first Bledisloe Cup clash on Saturday.
In a squad bolstered by the return of several key players from injury—Fraser McReight, Hunter Paisami, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Noah Lolesio, and Tom Wright—reserve prop James Slipper is set to surpass George Gregan as Australia’s most-capped player in his 140th Test.
However, the most striking change is at halfback, where 34-year-old Nic White has been handed the No. 9 jersey.
Changes in the Wallabies’ Squad Following Santa Fe Loss
The starting halves from the Wallabies’ shocking 67-27 loss in Santa Fe—Jake Gordon and Ben Donaldson—seem to have paid the price, as both have been left out of the 23-man squad entirely.
Lolesio returns to the No. 10 jersey after recovering from injury, while White, who wasn’t part of the Argentina tour, has been called upon by Schmidt for his experience. The fiery halfback will take on the All Blacks at Accor Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
White has fond memories of Homebush, where he guided the Wallabies to their last victory over New Zealand in Sydney back in 2015. Trailing 19-17 in the 65th minute, White came off the bench to score 10 crucial points, securing the win with a long-range penalty goal and a converted try.
Donaldson has also been dropped from the 23-man squad after starting in Santa Fe, with Lolesio returning from a back injury and Tom Lynagh selected as the back-up five-eighth. Schmidt has opted to keep Tate McDermott on the bench to preserve the Reds’ halves combination.
Tom Wright’s return pushes Andrew Kellaway back to the wing, while Max Jorgensen has been left out of the squad after being unwell this week. Dylan Pietsch takes a spot on the bench in Jorgensen’s absence.
After missing two Tests due to a knee injury, Hunter Paisami has passed a fitness test and will start at No. 12, which means Hamish Stewart has been left out of the squad.
On the bench, the tough lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto makes his return to provide added strength.
Wallabies
Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Nic White, Harry Wilson (c), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost, Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, Angus Bell
Reserves: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch
Referee. Karl Dickson (England)
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