Rennie could have handed Josh Jacomb his test debut this week but with the focus firmly on further improvements and doubling down on last week’s dominant display, any thoughts of experimentation were shelved.
Damian McKenzie retains the All Blacks’ No 10 jersey this weekend in Sydney. Photo / Alyse Wright
Mo’unga’s injury status factored into Rennie giving McKenzie more time at No 10 as he will fulfil those duties when the All Blacks head north next month.
Jacomb’s chance is now likely to come in their second November test against Wales in Cardiff.
“We want consistency,” Rennie said. “We’re not sure whether Richie is going to make it back in time for the end of year tour and Damian has only had one hit at 10. We considered it but he’s [Jacomb] likely to tour at the end of the year and get his opportunity.”
As he outlined Mo’unga’s race against time to be selected next month, Rennie indicated the All Blacks would not select another first five with McKenzie, Beauden Barrett and Jacomb available at this stage.
“We brought him over here so our medics can control the rehab. He’s progressing well but that injury is potentially six-to-eight weeks. If we got him back in five, which is possible, even then he would miss the first couple of games on tour.
“We’ve got to weigh up where he’s at and whether we can afford to take him when he can’t play for the first two or three.”
With the Bledisloe banked, Rennie’s selection approach this week could be cast as conservative after making three starting changes and five more on the bench.
Three of those were injury-enforced with Leroy Carter, Anton Segner and Asafo Aumua ruled out.
Anton Segner was ruled out of this weekend’s test after a head knock at Eden Park. Photo / Alyse Wright
A 5-3 record this year, however, demands the All Blacks continue to progress from their torrid South African tour.
Last week the All Blacks harnessed the expectation and pressure weighing on their shoulders following three successive losses to the Springboks – as well as the need to preserve fortress Eden Park and retain the Bledisloe.
This week they are attempting to replicate that same edge by reinforcing standards and selecting their best available team that also features a stacked bench containing Timoci Tavatavanawai’s destructive qualities for the first time this year.
“We’ve put a lot of time into making sure the mindset is right,” Rennie said. “We talk a lot about black standard. We did a lot of good things last week but we can be better.”
Retaining the same starting loose forwards, alongside recalling Fabian Holland to form the All Blacks’ best locking combination with Scott Barrett, signals the All Blacks’ intent.
Rennie resisted the urge to hand Shannon Frizell his first start since the 2023 World Cup in favour of rewarding Tupou Vaa’i for his impressive performance last week.
Tupou Vaa’i remains on the blindside for the All Blacks in Sydney this week. Photo / Photosport
In Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Ethan Blackadder and Segner’s collective absence, Du’Plessis Kirifi gets his first chance off the bench under Rennie after absorbing messaging to mitigate his penalties at the breakdown.
“Tupou had his best game in the six jersey so we wanted to build on that. Wallace Sititi was excellent. We’ll try and get a bit more out of Shannon in the weekend but he’s still building. We definitely threw him starting around but we’re happy with the group we’ve got.”
Josh Moorby returning on the left wing to replace the injured Carter is the only backline change, and ensures the All Blacks can again leverage Jordie Barrett and Cam Roigard’s world-class influence.
In short, there’s no let-up in sight for the further depleted Wallabies.
Rennie expects the Wallabies to harness their hurt, but, after losing their starting 10-12 duo, Ben Donaldson and Len Ikitau, to injuries and shuffling their squad, the All Blacks should be too strong from the outset before unleashing a series of weapons from the bench.
Declan Meredith starts at No 10 for the Wallabies with rookie Western Force playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips – the 22-year-old three tests into his career – to debut from the bench.
“They’re too good a side to lie down. They’re proud men. Back at home in front of a massive crowd they’ll be highly motivated. Their loose forward trio would be as good as any country in the world. We’re expecting a response but we’ve talked about us trying to take our game to another level. If we get that right, the skillset will follow.”
The All Blacks beat the Wallabies at Eden Park to retain the Bledisloe Cup. Photo / Alyse Wright
If the All Blacks generate anything close to the same front foot platform and speed of ball they savoured in the second half at Eden Park, a 13th successive win against the Wallabies will follow.
Ominously, the All Blacks have lost one of their last 11 games at Accor Stadium, the scene for this weekend’s rematch.
Rennie’s selections set the expectation for another commanding performance as the All Blacks seek to lay down another statement before vastly tougher tests to come this year.
All Blacks: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor (c), 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Josh Moorby, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Beauden Barrett.
Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Shannon Frizell, 20. Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23. Rieko Ioane.
Wallabies: 1. Aidan Ross, 2. Josh Nasser, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Jeremy Williams, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson (c), 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Declan Meredith, 11. Harry Potter, 12. Isaac Henry, 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 14. Max Jorgensen, 15. Tom Wright.
Bench: 16. Billy Pollard, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Massimo De Lutiis, 19. Josh Canham, 20. Carlo Tizzano, 21. Kalani Thomas, 22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23. Filipo Daugunu.
Liam Napier is a senior sports journalist and rugby correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.
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