MATCH DETAILS: All Blacks v Australia, Saturday 21 September, 3.45pm AEST (5.45pm NZT), Accor Stadium, Sydney.
Played: 177
Won: All Blacks 124, Australia 45, Drawn 8
Last time: All Blacks 23, Australia 20, 5 August 2023, Dunedin.
Referee: Karl Dickson (RFU)
BLEDISLOE BACKGROUNDER
The Bledisloe Cup, introduced in 1931 and named after New Zealand’s Governor-General Lord Bledisloe, symbolises the fierce rugby rivalry between New Zealand and Australia. As All Blacks coach Scott Robertson notes, “The Bledisloe Cup is always hard-earned, and each year is its own chapter in the Bledisloe story.” New Zealand has claimed the Cup 51 times, while Australia has won it 12 times, last holding it in 2002. With 177 encounters, it's a treasured part of rugby history between New Zealand and Australia.
CH, CH, CHANGES
There are four changes to the All Blacks starting team and two in the reserves. In the forwards, Ethan de Groot has returned from his neck injury to start at loosehead prop, while Pasilio Tosi will prepare to play just his second All Blacks test match, having debuted off the bench against Fiji in San Diego earlier in the season. In the backs, it is a return of the back three that helped to create a lot of attacking momentum against the Springboks in Johannesburg and against Argentina in their second test. Caleb Clarke has recovered from his back injury to take the left wing; Will Jordan will take the other wing and Beauden Barrett will start at fullback.
NO COMPLACENCY
Despite the Wallabies going down by a record margin of 67-27 in their last encounter against Argentina, the All Blacks are not taking Joe Schmidt’s side lightly. Hooker Codie Taylor spoke about Australia’s danger at home, their strength at the breakdown and their game-breaking threats out wide. "Some people might be talking negatively about Australia, but we're making no assumptions and not taking any of this lightly. We're in Sydney; we're at their home ground. Australia can do anything; we've seen that in the past,” Taylor said.
THE SLIPPER FITS
Prop James Slipper will break the record for most caps by an Australian in Test Rugby history. He has been named on the bench and will pass George Gregan's mark of 139 on his inclusion in the game. Slipper said: “I grew up watching ‘Greegs’. He is a player so highly held and respected in Australian rugby. He is an iconic player for us, so to be anywhere near him is pretty special. It’s just hard to stand next to your idol, isn’t it? He is your idol, and in your mind, he is always going to be above you.”
WATCH AROUND THE WORLD
NZR+ is streaming the Lipovitan-D Rugby Championship directly into territories that traditionally don't receive a live broadcast. Read the full story HERE to find out how you can watch the game.
TEAMS:
All Blacks (Test caps in brackets):
1. Ethan de Groot (26) 2. Codie Taylor (91) 3. Tyrel Lomax (38) 4. Scott Barrett (74) (Captain) 5. Tupou Vaa’i (32) 6. Wallace Sititi (3) 7. Sam Cane (98) 8. Ardie Savea (88) (Vice Captain) 9. Cortez Ratima (6) 10. Damian McKenzie (54) 11. Caleb Clarke (23) 12. Jordie Barrett (64) (Vice Captain) 13. Rieko Ioane (75) 14. Will Jordan (35) 15. Beauden Barrett (130)
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua (12)17. Tamaiti Williams (12) 18. Pasilio Tosi (1) 19. Sam Darry (4) 20. Luke Jacobson (22) 21. TJ Perenara (85) 22. Anton Lienert-Brown (77) 23. Sevu Reece (28)
Australia (Test caps in brackets):
1. Angus Bell (31) 2. Matt Faessler (10) 3. Taniela Tupou (54) 4. Nick Frost (19) 5. Jeremy Williams (6) 6. Rob Valetini (46) 7. Fraser McReight (20) 8. Harry Wilson (c) (17) 9. Nic White (69) 10. Noah Lolesio (23) 11. Marika Koroibete (62) 12. Hunter Paisami (29) 13. Len Ikitau (33) 14. Andrew Kellaway (33) 15. Tom Wright (31)
Reserves: 16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa (14) 17. James Slipper (139) 18. Allan Alaalatoa (74) 19. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (35) 20. Langi Gleeson (7) 21. Tate McDermott (35) 22. Tom Lynagh (3) 23. Dylan Pietsch (2)