Australia’s rugby union team has finalized its lineup for the first Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand, with coach Les Kiss opting to maintain a largely consistent side for Saturday’s match at Eden Park in Auckland. The Wallabies have made one change, introducing rookie outside centre Isaac Henry, who will start alongside Len Ikitau in the midfield.
Henry, a 23-year-old Queensland Reds midfielder, will earn just his fifth Test cap, having made his debut earlier this year against Japan in Osaka. His inclusion comes following the suspension of Hunter Paisami, the team’s previous inside centre, who was handed a four-week ban for a high tackle in the recent Test victory over South Africa. Ikitau, who scored twice in that match, has shifted slightly from wing to the No. 12 jersey.
Meanwhile, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, the 20-year-old rugby league convert who has featured primarily in midfield throughout his 25 Tests, will retain his position on the left wing. Kiss praised Suaalii’s impact on the flank, particularly his skill under the high ball and ability to exploit space on the outside, which was instrumental in the Wallabies’ thrilling victory over the Springboks in Perth two weeks ago.
The forward pack remains unchanged from the South Africa Test, but the replacements list has seen adjustments. Notably, flanker Tom Hooper and prop Taniela Tupou, who both featured off the bench in Perth, have returned to their clubs in Europe. In their places, young prop Massimo de Lutiis, back-rower Nick Champion de Crespigny, and hooker Josh Nasser have been named among the substitutes. Fly-half Declan Meredith is also included on the bench, shifting the team’s tactical balance from a 6-2 to a 5-3 forwards-backs arrangement.
Kiss’s Wallabies enter the match unbeaten since he assumed the coaching role from Joe Schmidt, with four wins and a draw in his first five matches.
The All Blacks face significant injury challenges ahead of the opening Bledisloe Cup Test. Key playmaker Richie Mo’unga will miss the game and next week’s match in Sydney after suffering a torn calf muscle during training on Tuesday. Winger Fehi Fineanganofo, who had been pushing for a starting role after an impressive Super Rugby Pacific season, was ruled out due to a concussion sustained in club rugby, following a failed subsequent test.
New Zealand’s injury list also includes captain Ardie Savea (shoulder), Luke Jacobson (elbow), Anton Lienert-Brown (knee), Billy Proctor (shoulder), Caleb Clarke (shoulder), Ollie Norris (knee), and Patrick Tuipulotu (calf).
All Blacks coach Dave Rennie opted against handing a debut to Chiefs playmaker Josh Jacobmati at fly-half, instead moving Damian McKenzie from fullback to fly-half and restoring veteran Beauden Barrett to the No. 15 jersey. Scott Barrett, returning from injury and a period on the sidelines, has been named in the starting second row.
Saturday’s Test at Eden Park marks an opportunity for the Wallabies to break a four-decade drought at this iconic venue, where they have struggled historically against the All Blacks. The selected Australian lineup for the match is Tom Wright; Max Jorgensen, Isaac Henry, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii; Ben Donaldson, Ryan Lonergan; Harry Wilson (captain), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini; Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto; Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell.