SS: Well, I don’t think that’s going to solve what’s really ailing this team, which is probably more the feeling that some of their own fans want blood on the floor! <\/p>\n
Taylor and Roigard are absolutely starting this match, and I think we’ll see Fabian Holland return to a starting role at lock as well. He strikes as a much better proposition there than as a finisher. Patrick Tuipulotu will make a strong case for locking cover on the pine. <\/p>\n
I would still love to see Will Jordan start at fullback and play as much of a game there as possible. This does create another opportunity to rejig the back three, and centre is still one position that lacks a resounding pick-me option. It must be tempting to see if Leicester Fainga’anuku’s brute force is worth a run, either on the wing or at 13. <\/p>\n
Persist with the loose forwards. Wallace Sititi is still building minutes, and Simon Parker is a workhorse. Ardie Savea will do what he does and he’s the guaranteed guy in his spot. Tamaiti Williams may be worth a shot to start up front. <\/p>\n
What I would like to see is a faith-restoring masterclass from Beauden Barrett. What does he have to do to rediscover his mojo? <\/p>\n
PM: Have a crack and trust his running game. I know this is something you\u2019ve been wanting to see from him for weeks, but Beaudy\u2019s kick-pass-run balance was not good against the Boks recently and he has to be more of a threat with the ball. <\/p>\n
The space is there but for heaven\u2019s sake don\u2019t kick the ball away so much. This was touched on by assistant coach Jason Holland this week. Holland and the rest of the coaches will want to see the All Blacks build momentum by retaining the ball. I concur.<\/p>\n
Fortunately, Roigard\u2019s running threat at halfback for the first time in the Rugby Championship should free up Beaudy a little more.<\/p>\n
![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/cam-roigard-at-all-blacks-training-JGM4ELJZIJGKXBMNK662JNKAJA.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
The return of Cam Roigard should help the All Blacks’ attack significantly this week. (Source: Photosport)<\/p>\n
As for potential changes, I wouldn\u2019t be surprised to see Anton Lienert-Brown starting at centre and big Leicester coming off the bench<\/a> in an impact role. Given this is a team struggling so much under the high ball, Jordan is an absolute must to return to fullback.<\/p>\n That second-half collapse against the Boks was unprecedented and shocked a lot of former All Blacks.<\/a> Will there be psychological damage that the Wallabies can exploit at Eden Park?<\/p>\n SS: That\u2019s the big question, isn\u2019t it? I think the implosion showed there is an unwelcome vulnerability in this team, and that vulnerability was exploited by a Springboks team that had a superior game plan, and the individual confidence to execute. I am writing from the point of view of an outsider looking in, but staring through that window does not reveal a party atmosphere. <\/p>\n Confidence begets confidence but from where does this team draw it from? It can\u2019t be much fun finding themselves on the boom-bust cycle (not that they are alone in that in this Rugby Championship) and more crucially, is anyone in that team demonstrating a true mastery of the gameplan? In fits and starts, maybe, but the evidence is more anecdotal than concrete. <\/p>\n All of which is a long-winded way of saying the Wallabies, with a fast start, are more than capable of sewing some fresh seeds of doubt. Doubt compounds pressure, pressure further erodes confidence. <\/p>\n Joe Schmidt is not one for engaging in the kinds of public jousts that others of his vintage seemed to revel in, but behind the scenes he will have been sticking pins in the the All Blacks\u2019 voodoo doll, and exhorting his team to be the biggest pests they can be. <\/p>\n That said, surely the Wallabies have more demons at Eden Park. Right, Pat? <\/p>\n PM: Well, yes, they haven\u2019t beaten New Zealand there since 1986. They also have proven to be fairly slow starters (albeit fast finishers) in this Rugby Championship \u2013 the polar opposite of the All Blacks.<\/p>\n It\u2019s an intriguing match up in other ways too because this Wallabies backline is sensational on its day. Max Jorgensen, Hunter Paisami, Joseph-Aukuso Sua\u2019ali\u2019i, Tom Wright et al are excitement machines and are playing with a cohesion that leaves their All Blacks\u2019 counterparts in their wake.<\/p>\n Will they have the grit up front to match the All Blacks? Possibly not without the injured loose forward Rob Valetini and monster lock Will Skelton, who is unavailable but may make it back from Europe to play in Perth the following week.<\/p>\n Max Jorgensen wins the ball off Lions wing James Lowe in the Wallabies’ loss in Brisbane in July. (Source: Photosport)<\/p>\n![\"Max](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/max-jorgensen-wins-the-ball-off-lions-wing-james-lowe-in-the-ACKK4NFVLFHCBEW5OG3K6OMMKU.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
![\"Will](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/will-skelton-wallabies-lock-F4OM6ZVUEJCWPCQ6HS6XUY2WOA.jpg\")
<\/p>\n