Australia’s Wallabies face a daunting challenge as they prepare to take on the New Zealand All Blacks in the upcoming Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park on Saturday. Wallabies head coach Les Kiss acknowledged the formidable nature of the task ahead, highlighting the strength of New Zealand’s lineup despite several key absences due to injury.
The All Blacks will be without players including Ardie Savea, Ruben Love, Richie Mo’unga, Fefhi Peinangona-fon, and Luke Jacobsen. Nevertheless, Kiss pointed to the depth and quality of their squad, noting the presence of two centurions, Codie Taylor and Beauden Barrett, as well as standout Super Rugby talents Quinn Tupaea, Will Jordan, and Damian McKenzie.
Kiss emphasized the historical difficulty Australia faces at Eden Park, where the Wallabies have not secured a win since 1986, and stressed the significance of the contest, with Australia also having lost the Bledisloe Cup to New Zealand every year since 2002. Despite this, Kiss expressed confidence in his team, which remains undefeated in five Tests under his leadership, and spoke of the Wallabies' readiness to engage their rivals aggressively.
One key tactical focus for Australia will be competing in aerial contests, a strategy inspired by the recent success of the South African Springboks, who dominated the All Blacks in the air during their 3-1 series victory in the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. With Len Ikitau fit to play, Kiss confirmed that Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii will remain on the wing, eyeing an advantage in the high ball battles against New Zealand’s back three, which includes Jordan, Barrett, and Leroy Carter.
Kiss noted the difficulty of maintaining possession during these contests but underlined the importance of competing effectively to create additional attacking opportunities. “Those kick moments are generally 50-50 and usually one team moves 10 or 15 per cent in favour,” he said. “If that does happen, we’ve just got to be good without the ball.”
New Zealand coach Dave Rennie acknowledged the aerial threat posed by the Wallabies but welcomed the tactic, pointing out that his team is prepared to play off the ball when contested in the air. Rennie referenced the Springboks’ strategy and said the All Blacks aim to maintain a strong mindset when fielding high balls.
Australia has made one change from their previous win over South Africa, with Isaac Henry coming in at centre alongside Ikitau after Hunter Paisman received a four-match suspension for a dangerous tackle. Ben Donaldson continues at fly-half, while the bench returns to a traditional 5-3 split, with Declan Meredith providing backup playmaking cover.
The forward pack remains unchanged, though Massimo De Lutiis replaces Taniela Tupou, who has moved to club rugby in France. Nick Champion de Crespigny will cover as hooker/lock on the bench, taking over from Tom Hooper, who has returned to English club Exeter.
Kiss also addressed the status of Mark Nawaqanitawasa, a recent NRL premiership winner and rising rugby union player who is set to join Japan’s Saitama Wild Knights. Kiss has yet to discuss Nawaqanitawasa’s availability for the Nations Championship series in the UK this November and suggested that if the player does not participate then, he may not be available for the Wallabies again until July next year, months ahead of the World Cup.
“I’ve just let him settle for this week and I’ll have some conversations and see where it goes,” Kiss said, emphasizing his current focus remains on the players selected for this weekend’s crucial fixture against the All Blacks.