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Dave Rennie during a Wallabies training session at Mt Smart Stadium in Auckland on October 16, 2020.
Australia coach Dave rennie has made two changes to his starting eleven to face New Zealand In a second Bledisloe Cup Try Auckland on Sunday.
Rennie largely kept faith in the players who scored a thrilling 16-16 draw with the All Blacks in Wellington, but dropped eighth Pete Samu and hooker Folau Fainga’a in an attempt to strengthen their group of forwards.
Fainga’a struggled with a missed shot at the lineout in Wellington, while Samu was unable to exercise the dominance the Wallabies wanted in the breakout.
Ned Hanigan enters the last row in the absence of Samu and Brandon Paenga-Amosa replaces Fainga’a.
Both Hanigan and Paenga-Amosa last played for the Wallabies in 2018 before being ruled out by Rennie’s predecessor Michael Cheika.
Outside star Jordan Petaia and Queensland Reds winger Liam Wright were named to the bench, beating Noah Lolesio and Rob Valenti respectively.
The Wallabies entered Wellington’s game as underdogs, but came within a goalpost of registering a big upset to mark Rennie’s first game in charge.
New Zealander Rennie said the excitement the performance generated among fans gave the Wallabies a boost as they prepare to play at Eden Park, a venue where they haven’t won since 1986.
“We have had great support at home and as a team we definitely feel it and it is something we will bring out on Sunday afternoon,” he said.
The Australians were thrashed 36-0 in their last appearance on the field last year.
That match was Wright’s debut in Test and he will be eager to erase the painful memories of Eden Park if Rennie gives him a run from the bench on Sunday.
Rennie said his players were excited, rather than intimidated, by the highly successful event.
“We know New Zealand will rise another level this weekend, we are excited about the challenge ahead,” he said.
Teams:
New Zealand
15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Jordie Barrett, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Richie Mounga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane (captain), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Tupou Vaa’i , 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Joe Moody
Substitutes: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Damian McKenzie
Australia
15 Tom Banks, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Hunter Paisami, 12 Matt Toomua, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper
Substitutes: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Liam Wright, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Jordan Petaia, 23 Reece Hodge
