{"id":56226,"date":"2025-10-02T12:40:14","date_gmt":"2025-10-02T12:40:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/56226\/"},"modified":"2025-10-02T12:40:14","modified_gmt":"2025-10-02T12:40:14","slug":"all-blacks-v-wallabies-scott-robertson-pulls-selection-surprises-for-perth-rematch","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/56226\/","title":{"rendered":"All Blacks v Wallabies: Scott Robertson pulls selection surprises for Perth rematch"},"content":{"rendered":"

Robertson\u2019s tenure<\/a> has been largely punctuated by conservative selections but he\u2019s broken that mould this week by pulling a wildcard from his pack and rewarding Quinn Tupaea\u2019s impressive cameos with a start at centre. <\/p>\n

\"LeicesterLeicester Fainga’anuku, seen on the charge for the All Blacks at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, will be playing his first test in two years this weekend. Photo \/ Photosport<\/p>\n

Tupaea\u2019s direct, combative presence added impetus off the bench against the Springboks and Wallabies at Eden Park<\/a>. <\/p>\n

But, given his last start at centre for the Chiefs was five years ago, there\u2019s a high degree of risk attached to the selection, particularly on defence while marking Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii\u2019s attacking threat.<\/p>\n

Billy Proctor, after not convincing in his seven starts in the No 13 jersey this year, makes way for Tupaea with Rieko Ioane recalled as cover. <\/p>\n

\u201cBilly is a bit banged up. He\u2019s had five tests in a row,\u201d Robertson said. \u201cHe\u2019s been awesome and got better with the time on the stage. His body needs a chance to freshen up. It\u2019s great for Quinn, who has had a couple of good cameos and he\u2019s ready to go.\u201d<\/p>\n

Tupaea largely featured on the wing as injuries hit the All Blacks backline last week but Robertson is confident he will slot into the centre role. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe last few tests he\u2019s been at centre. Him and Jordie [Barrett] work really well together. They\u2019ve done a lot of work defensively so they\u2019re a good combo.\u201d<\/p>\n

Damian McKenzie assumes the playmaking responsibility from Beauden Barrett and he, too, backed his Chiefs teammate to continue his strong form in the unfamiliar role. <\/p>\n

\u201cQuinn has slotted in really well. He\u2019s a guy who rips in. We\u2019ve got to find a way to get him the ball,\u201d McKenzie said. \u201cThroughout the season, I\u2019ve played a lot more with him at 12 but he\u2019s jumped into that role really well and he\u2019ll combine with Jordie there. He\u2019s had a great week so far and he\u2019s really excited to make the most of his opportunity to get a start.\u201d<\/p>\n

Other notable changes include Leicester Fainga\u2019anuku\u2019s first test in two years as he\u2019s promoted to the left wing after Caleb Clarke could not recover from reinjuring his ankle. <\/p>\n

After two years in the Toulon midfield, the Wallabies are sure to test Fainga\u2019anuku under the high ball on the edge. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt gives a chance for Leicester on the left wing with his left foot,\u201d Robertson said of Clarke\u2019s minor setback. \u201cHe\u2019s a big body and a point of difference.\u201d<\/p>\n

Scott Barrett returns from his shoulder complaint to regain the captaincy from Ardie Savea and replace Fabian Holland in the second row.<\/p>\n

After his first All Blacks appearance of the year off the bench last week, Peter Lakai\u2019s dynamic ball carrying is injected for his maiden start at the back of the scrum, with Wallace Sititi reverting to an impact role.<\/p>\n

\u201cPeter has been good. He took his opportunity the other day. We feel like this sort of game, the way he hunts and his skill set, will suit the start,\u201d Robertson said. \u201cIt\u2019s a good chance for Wally to come on and make an impact. We\u2019re pleased for Peter. He\u2019s ready.\u201d<\/p>\n

The Wallabies regain enforcer Will Skelton<\/a> and influential loose forward Rob Valetini returns from the bench as they attempt to snap a 10-match losing run against the All Blacks. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt changes the weight of the forward pack. There\u2019s a few more kilos on it. They\u2019re big ball carries and they\u2019ll be running off nine. You\u2019ve just got to watch the [British and Irish] Lions to know how they\u2019ll play and last week,\u201d Robertson said. <\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019ll be hugely motivated for this occasion. It\u2019s been a while since they\u2019ve beaten us and there\u2019s a bit of hype around them. We\u2019ve talked about our consistency, doing it back-to-back, that\u2019s our opportunity this weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n

James O\u2019Connor has been dropped to the Wallabies bench after missing touch three times and kicking the ball out on the full from one restart, with former North Harbour playmaker Tane Edmed preferred to start. <\/p>\n

The All Blacks must score three more tries than the Wallabies to claim a bonus-point win<\/a> \u2013 and need the Pumas to do them a favour in their final match against the Springboks at Twickenham \u2013 to regain the Rugby Championship title.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first thing is you\u2019ve got to get the result and that comes afterwards,\u201d Robertson said of chasing the bonus point. \u201cIf you start playing from the start you can cook yourself so you\u2019ve got to keep your shape.\u201d<\/p>\n

All Blacks: <\/p>\n

1. Tamaiti Williams, 2. Codie Taylor, 3.\u202fFletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett (c), 5. Tupou Vaa\u2019i, 6.\u202fSimon Parker, 7.\u202fArdie Savea, 8.\u202fPeter Lakai, 9.\u202fCam Roigard, 10.\u202fDamian McKenzie, 11. Leicester Fainga\u2019anuku, 12.\u202fJordie Barrett, 13.\u202fQuinn Tupaea, 14. Leroy Carter, 15. Will Jordan. <\/p>\n

Bench: 16. Samisoni Taukei\u2019aho, 17. George Bower, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19.\u202fPatrick Tuipulotu, 20.\u202fWallace Sititi, 21.\u202fCortez Ratima, 22.\u202fRieko Ioane, 23. Ruben Love.<\/p>\n

Wallabies: <\/p>\n

1. James Slipper, 2. Billy Pollard, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Nick Frost, 5. Will Skelton, 6. Tom Hooper, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson (c), 9. Jake Gordon, 10. Tane Edmed, 11. Filipo Daugunu, 12. Len Ikitau, 13. Joseph-Aukuso Sua\u2019ali\u2019i, 14. Harry Potter, 15. Max Jorgensen, <\/p>\n

Reserves: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Tom Robertson, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Jeremy Williams, 20. Rob Valetini, 21. Ryan Lonergan, 22. James O\u2019Connor, 23. Josh Flook.<\/p>\n

Liam Napier<\/a> is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Robertson\u2019s tenure has been largely punctuated by conservative selections but he\u2019s broken that mould this week by pulling…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":56227,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[74,5263,8136,21052,6119,2082,8456,47251,11927,2510,111,43,139,69,6379,72,28221,17894,8986,8139,1870,17879,47252,23741,34432,102],"class_list":["post-56226","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-new-zealand","tag-after","tag-all","tag-blacks","tag-consistency","tag-faces","tag-for","tag-fresh","tag-injecting","tag-landed","tag-multiple","tag-new-zealand","tag-news","tag-newzealand","tag-nz","tag-ongoing","tag-perth","tag-pulls","tag-rematch","tag-robertson","tag-scott","tag-search","tag-selection","tag-sprung","tag-surprises","tag-wallabies","tag-with"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56226","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=56226"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/56226\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56227"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56226"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=56226"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/nz\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=56226"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}