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All the action as the All Blacks take on the Wallabies in Bledisloe III.
The Wallabies’ top five, Noah Lolesio and center Irae Simone, will make their surprise debut in the testing of an injured Australian team in Saturday’s third round of rugby at the Bledisloe Cup against the All Blacks.
The 20-year-old Lolesio is off to an unexpected start in a must-try test for the Wallabies because James O’Connor has been ruled out with a knee injury. Lolesio’s Brumbies teammate Simone also comes in as a replacement due to injury, replacing veteran midfielder Matt To’omua.
Head coach Dave Rennie has named four limitless players of his 23 for the game Australia needs to win to keep the four-game series alive. Queensland Reds backrower Fraser McReight and scrum half Tate McDermott have been included to make possible debuts from the bench.
“It’s really exciting to be able to name four more rookies to the team this week,” Rennie said. “Noah and Irae have played a lot of football together and we have no doubt that they are ready to take the step to try rugby.
“Tate and Fraser have had great Super Rugby seasons and have impressed in practice over the last month.”
In other changes, Allan Alaalatoa will start as a tight-headed mainstay ahead of Taniela Tupou, and Dane Haylett-Perry replaces Tom Banks at fullback.
Lolesio helped lead the Brumbies to the Australian Super Rugby national title in their season, showing composure under pressure in the final. He is considered a test class player, but his debut has been accelerated by O’Connor’s injury.
Meanwhile, backrower Hoskins Sotutu will start a test for the first time after being named in the XV of New Zealand.
Sotutu came off the bench in the first two rounds of the series, debuting in the first round drawn in Wellington.
It will start at the back of the scrum in place of Ardie Savea, who is absent for paternity leave. Sotutu is the son of former Fiji international Waisake Sotutu and one of four All Blacks who have made their test debut during the current series.
Veteran Sam Whitelock is returning from a head injury and Karl Tu’inukuafe replaces Joe Moody as the loose-headed mainstay in other changes for the team that won the second Test 27-7 in Auckland. Moody had a concussion on the second test and is still subject to head injury protocols.
The bottom line has not changed with the powerful young Caleb Clarke again starting on the left wing. Three-round backrower Dalton Papalii joins the bench along with center Ngani Laumape.
New Zealand will retain the Bledisloe Cup, which it has played since 2002, if it wins on Saturday. Australia must win to keep the series alive for the final test in Brisbane on 7 November.
“It’s the third round of a four-round series and the Bledisloe Cup is on the line,” said head coach Ian Foster. “It’s a real opportunity for us to step into their home patch, a place they are proud to play and for a trophy that means a lot to them, and we must show them how much it means to us. The opportunity to go and win a trophy that is precious to us is exciting.
“None of our players, not even the experienced ones, have had to win the trophy in Australia. In the past, the decisive game has always been in New Zealand, so I think it’s a big challenge for us.”
– AP
Match details: Saturday October 31st at 9:45 pm, ANZ Stadium in Sydney.
Squads
All Blacks Team: Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jack Goodhue, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Hoskins Sotutu, Sam Cane (c), Shannon Frizell, Sam Whitelock, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tuungafasi, Dane Coles, Karl Tu’inukuafe.
Bookings: Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett, Dalton Papalii, TJ Perenara, Ngani Laumape, Rieko John.
Wallabies Team: James Slipper, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (c), Harry Wilson, Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Marika Koroibete, Irae Simone, Jordan Petaia, Filipo Daugunu, Dane Haylett-Petty.
Bookings: Jordan Uelese, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Fraser McReight, Tate McDermott, Reece Hodge, Hunter Paisami.
Last five meetings
2018: 37-20 All Blacks – Nissan Stadium, Yokohama, Japan
2019: 47–26 Australia – Optus Stadium, Perth
2019: 36-0 All Blacks – Eden Park, Auckland
2020: Draw 16-16 – Sky Stadium, Wellington
2020: 27–7 All Blacks – Eden Park, Auckland
Possibilities
All the black people: $ 1.26
Wallabies: $ 3.85
How to catch the action
the Herald will provide live updates and will have live interactive player ratings. You can watch live commentary of the match on Newstalk ZB, Gold AM and iHeartRadio.
The game will be broadcast live on Sky Sport 1, with coverage starting at 9:00 p.m. If you want to watch the game online, you can stream it live through Sky Sport Now.
