Ardie Savea will captain the All Blacks this weekend, with Scott Robertson making sweeping changes to his 23-man squad to face the Wallabies.
The All Blacks come into this weekend’s Test licking their wounds after their heaviest-ever defeat last time out at the hands of the Springboks, and that has forced Razor’s hand with as many as six personnel changes to his squad to defend the Eden Park fortress.
Robertson’s side could go top of the Rugby Championship with a win this weekend, but a loss would not only see them drop as low as fourth in the table but end the historic streak at their spiritual home.
All Blacks make five changes to 23
Current captain Scott Barrett is ruled out of the clash with a shoulder injury, while Ollie Norris, Emoni Narawa and Timoci Tavatavanawai are also all out of action for the foreseeable future, forcing Robertson into some of his changes.
Will Jordan continues at full-back, joined by Leroy Carter on one wing and the returning Caleb Clarke on the other. Billy Proctor and Jordie Barrett again link up in the centres, while Beauden Barrett starts at fly-half. He is partnered with the returning Cam Roigard at nine.
In the All Blacks pack, Wallace Sititi, match-day skipper Savea and Simon Parker form a formidable back-row, with Tupou Vaa’i also retained at lock. Fabian Holland comes into the engine room in place of the injured Scott Barrett.
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Tyrel Lomax and Ethan de Groot keep their jerseys this weekend, with centurion Codie Taylor returning from injury to join them.
Damian McKenzie drops down to the bench after starting at 15 last time out, while Cortez Ratima, Patrick Tuipulotu and Peter Lakai are the other new names among the replacements. Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell and Quinn Tupaea also remain on the bench.
Commenting on his selection, Robertson said: “With all teams being two from four in this Rugby Championship, we all have everything to play for in these final two rounds.
“We are preparing for a strong Australian side and understand the importance of this match and the Bledisloe Cup. There is a lot to play for on Saturday evening.”
All Blacks team v Australia
Starting XV: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea (c), 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’ahoo, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Damian McKenzie
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 17:05 local (06:05 BST, 05:05 GMT)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU) and Morné Ferreira (SARU)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
FPRO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)
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