The Wallabies have named the team it hopes will win a Test match at Eden Park for the first time since 1986.
James Slipper will become the first Wallabies player to notch 150 Tests, further extending his record as the most-capped prop in Test rugby history.
The 36-year-old will join Welshman Alun Wyn Jones and New Zealand’s Sam Whitelock to become just the third player to reach the milestone of 150 Tests.
Slipper will line up alongside hooker Billy Pollard and tighthead prop Taniela Tupou in the run-on front row for Saturday’s clash, which doubles as a Rugby Championship encounter.
Prop Allan Alaalatoa has been named on the bench after recovering from a shoulder injury.
Scrum half Tate McDermott, who replaces the now-retired Nic White in the starting side, will bring up his 50-Test milestone.
McDermott will partner James O’Connor in the halves.
O’Connor flew to England last week to link up with his new club Leicester, but flew back to link up with the Wallabies in New Zealand after being called up again by coach Joe Schmidt.
James O’Connor has returned from the UK to play for the Wallabies. (Getty Images: Corbis/Steve Christo)
Canberra’s Ryan Lonergan has been selected for a potential Test debut as the replacement scrum half, with Tane Edmed the reserve fly half.
Max Jorgensen has been named at fullback after Andrew Kellaway injured his calf at training.
Kellaway’s injury comes on top of the Wallabies losing star fullback Tom Wright to an ACL in August.
Star back-rower Rob Valetini was ruled out of this week’s clash with calf tightness.
Lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has earned his first start for the year, selected alongside Nick Frost in the run-on second row.
Winger Harry Potter also makes his return to the starting side.
All four teams in the Rugby Championship currently boast 2-2 records, but Australia sit on top after collecting three bonus points from their four games to date.
After facing the All Blacks in Auckland, the Wallabies host New Zealand in Perth next week.
The Wallabies have not won a Test in New Zealand against the All Blacks since a 23-15 victory at Carisbrook stadium in Dunedin in 2001, although did draw 16-16 in Wellington in 2020.
The last year the Wallabies held the Bledisloe Cup was in 2002.Â
All Blacks miss skipper
Scott Barrett will miss the Eden Park fixture. (Getty Images: Hagen Hopkins)
Meanwhile, New Zealand captain Scott Barrett has been ruled out of Saturday’s Test in one of four changes to the starting 15 from the All Blacks’ record defeat by South Africa.
Lock Barrett has been struck down by a shoulder injury and replaced by Fabian Holland, but the skipper is expected to be available for the final Rugby Championship test against Australia in Perth, New Zealand Rugby said on Thursday.
Ardie Savea will captain the side in Barrett’s stead.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has declined to swing the axe freely after the dramatic 43-10 loss to the Springboks at Wellington, the heaviest Test defeat in the nation’s history.
However, veteran hooker Codie Taylor has been restored to the front row after going through concussion protocols, while seasoned lock Patrick Tuipulotu takes a spot on the bench after recovering from a facial fracture.
Robertson’s preferred scrum half Cameron Roigard will take the number nine shirt after missing two months with a foot injury, while winger Caleb Clarke will play his first test of the season after recovering from a high ankle problem.
With rookie Leroy Carter retained on the other wing, Will Jordan has reverted to fullback, leaving Damian McKenzie demoted to the bench in place of the dropped Ruben Love.
Loose forward Peter Lakai replaces Du’Plessis Kirifi in the reserves while scrum half Cortez Ratima replaces Finlay Christie.
Robertson again declined to select powerful centre Leicester Fainga’anuku in his match-day squad.
Wallabies vs All Blacks team listsAustralia Wallabies New Zealand All BlacksJames Slipper1. Loosehead PropEthan de GrootBilly Pollard2. HookerCodie TaylorTaniela Tupou3. Tighthead PropTyrel LomaxNick Frost4. LockFabian HollandLukhan Salakaia-Loto5. LockTupou Vaa’iTom Hooper6. Blindside FlankerSimon ParkerFraser McReight7. Openside FlankerArdie Savea (c)Harry Wilson (c)8. Number EightWallace SititiTate McDermott9. Scrum halfCam RoigardJames O’Connor10. Fly halfBeauden BarrettCorey Toole11. Left WingerCaleb ClarkeLen Ikitau12. Inside CentreJordie BarrettJoseph-Aukuso Suaalii13. Outside CentreBilly ProctorHarry Potter14. Right WingerLeroy CarterMax Jorgensen15. FullbackWill JordanBrandon Paenga-Amosa16. ReserveSamisoni Taukei’ahoAngus Bell17. ReserveTamaiti WilliamsAllan Alaalatoa18. ReserveFletcher NewellJeremy Williams19. ReservePatrick TuipulotuCarlo Tizzano20. ReservePeter LakaiRyan Lonergan21. ReserveCortez RatimaTane Edmed22. ReserveQuinn TupaeaFilipo Daugunu23. ReserveDamian McKenzieJoe SchmidtHead coachScott RobertsonWhat time will the Bledisloe Cup begin?
New Zealand will host Australia at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday, September 27.
Here are the kick-off times for each state and territory, and New Zealand:
Queensland, NSW, Victoria, Tasmania, ACT: 3.05pm AESTSouth Australia and Northern Territory: 2:35pm ACSTWestern Australia: 1:05pm AWSTNew Zealand: 5:05pm NZSTHow can I watch the Wallabies vs All Blacks?
In Australia, the Nine Network will show the Wallabies vs All Blacks on free-to-air via Channel Nine and NineHD.
The match will also be streamed online through the Nine Network’s 9Now.
Nine’s streaming platform, Stan Sport, will also be broadcasting the match live.
You can also follow the action on ABC Sport through the live blog.
ABC/wires