England’s Matthew Carley is the man in the middle for today’s proceedings, the Kent-born whistler by now an experienced Test referee – and New Zealand captain Scott Barrett will hope to build a better relationship with him than he managed at Twickenham in 2023, when Carley sent off the All Blacks lock during their defeat to South Africa.
Referee: Matthew Carley (Eng)
Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (Eng) & Morne Ferreira (SA)
Television Match Official: Andrew Jackson (Eng)
Foul Play Review Officer: Marius Jonker (SA)
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2025 10:30
A long way behind James Slipper but already forging a highly successful career of his own is Will Jordan, who wins cap number 50 this evening. The New Zealand full-back is also closing in on a half-century of scores in a All Blacks shirt, his tally of 43 the seventh highest by any male Kiwi at Test level but with the six men ahead of him very much in sight. It’s a sort of oddity that no All Black has ever crossed the 50 mark – but with Beauden Barrett (45), Jordan and Rieko Ioane (38) within striking distance, surely Doug Howlett’s record of 49 tries will finally fall?
Will Jordan is hunting more success (PA Wire)
Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2025 10:22
James Slipper’s decade-and-a-half in an Australia shirt will come to a close tonight with an ever selfless team man bowing out internationally to allow opportunities for others on the Wallabies’ November tour of Europe. The loosehead, who wins his 151st and final cap, told Joe Schmidt that he didn’t see himself making it through next year after so long at the coal face, and there is a sense of his career coming full circle with his last international appearance coming in the city where he made his debut.
“Representing the Wallabies has been the single proudest achievement of my rugby career and a privilege I have never taken for granted,” Slipper, the third most capped international of all time, said in a Rugby Australia statement.
“As a young kid on the Gold Coast playing backyard footy with my brothers, it was a dream to pull on the gold jersey, and to be able to say I’ve lived my dream for what’s coming on 16 years is more than I could ever have asked for.
“It feels like the right time for me to step away from test rugby. There’s a number of good young props coming through who will need time in the saddle leading into what’s going to be an unbelievable experience of a home Rugby World Cup in 2027.”
James Slipper will retire from international rugby tonight (Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2025 10:12
The All Blacks lose one Barrett brother but gain another, with fly half Beauden ruled out after suffering an injury last week but lock Scott returning to skipper the side from the second row. Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell form a new propping pair after injuries to Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax, while Leicester Fainga’anuku makes his first international appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup having returned to New Zealand from France earlier this year.
Peter Lakai is given an opportunity at No 8 and Ruben Love provides play-making cover on the bench as Damian McKenzie takes the reins at 10.
New Zealand XV: 1 Tamaiti Williams, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Fletcher Newell; 4 Scott Barrett (capt.), 5 Fabian Holland; 6 Simon Parker, 7 Ardie Savea, 8 Peter Lakai; 9 Cam Roigard, 10 Damian McKenzie; 11 Leicester Fainga’anuku, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Billy Proctor, 14 Leroy Carter; 15 Will Jordan.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 George Bower, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Wallace Sititi; 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Ruben Love.
Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2025 10:02
James Slipper wins his 151st and final Wallabies cap in the loosehead’s last match before retiring from international rugby. Tane Edmed is given a major chance to seize the No 10 shirt ahead of veteran James O’Connor, and Will Skelton is a welcome returnee to the second row having jetted in from La Rochelle. Rob Valetini is back to bolster the bench, but there is no Lukhan Salakaia-Loto or Tate McDermott.
Australia XV: 1 James Slipper, 2 Billy Pollard, 3 Allan Alaalatoa; 4 Nick Frost, 5 Will Skelton; 6 Tom Hooper, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (capt.); 9 Jake Gordon, 10 Tane Edmed; 11 Filipo Daugunu, 12 Len Ikitau, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14 Harry Potter; 15 Max Jorgensen.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Rob Valetini; 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Josh Flook.
Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2025 09:58
Perth will host the opening game of the 2027 Rugby World Cup, with details for December’s draw confirmed this week as the tournament expands to 24 teams. Optus Stadium is an impressive venue but building a connection with the crowds in Western Australia will be key over the next two years.
A Wallabies win tonight would go a long way, you’d think – let’s take a closer look at the two sides…
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2025 09:55
Kiwi prop Tamaiti Williams enjoys Perth homecoming
New Zealand prop Tamaiti Williams has returned to the city where he grew up, greeted by a contingent of family and friends, but says Perth will be all business as the All Blacks chase a statement win over Australia and another piece of silverware.
New Zealand must beat the Wallabies at Perth Stadium for a chance at winning the Rugby Championship, a week after securing the bilateral Bledisloe Cup with a 33-24 win at Eden Park.
Williams was born in New Zealand but lived in Perth up to the age of 16, playing rugby union on Saturdays and rugby league on Sundays.
With fellow prop Ethan de Groot injured, the 25-year-old will be expected to train hard, step up and slot into Scott Robertson’s side as directed.
Being a tour guide for his teammates is a lower priority.
“(I have) a lot of family here, a lot of family and friends. But a great coach once told me, when you sign your arrival card make sure you tick business, not holidays,” Williams told reporters on Monday.
“We’re here for business and we do that first. We’re in the middle of the city, and I’m from way out, so Uber’s a bit too expensive.”
(Getty Images)
Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2025 09:45
John Mitchell opens door to Lions role after leading England to Women’s World Cup triumph
Back to the All Blacks of the present in a moment, but could former New Zealand head coach John Mitchell be heading back to his homeland with the first British and Irish Lions women’s touring side in two years’ time? After leading the Red Roses to World Cup triumph, Mitchell opened the door to the possibility:
Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2025 09:35
Australia given big boost as Will Skelton flies in for second All Blacks clash
Reinforcement has arrived in Perth in the form of the mighty Will Skelton – it was thought that the Australia lock was out of the rest of the Rugby Championship when he returned to La Rochelle earlier in the tournament, but the Top 14 club have released him to feature in this game.
Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2025 09:25
Tane Edmed given fly half chance as Australia ring changes for second New Zealand clash
Australia have a new man at No 10, Tane Edmed brought in to start ahead of James O’Connor as Joe Schmidt continues his fact-finding mission about an intriguing array of fly half options.
Harry Latham-Coyle4 October 2025 09:15