The Rugby Championship begins in earnest this weekend with a rematch from last Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup tie, where New Zealand ran out 33-25 winners at Eden Park.
The two teams meet at that imposing Auckland stadium once again this week, looking to get their championships off to a flying start.
When is it?
Saturday August 14.
What time is kick-off?
8.05am BST.
What TV channel is it on?
Sky Sports Action from 7.55am BST. Or you can follow live coverage with Telegraph Sport.
What is the latest squad/team news?
New Zealand
Head coach Ian Foster has rejigged his backline to bring Will Jordan in on the right wing in the only personnel change to his starting line-up.
The return of the prolific try-scorer, who sat out last week’s 33-25 Bledisloe Cup win over the Wallabies because of a hamstring strain, means a switch to the left wing for Sevu Reece and a return to the centres for Rieko Ioane.
Midfielder Anton Lienert-Brown drops out of the matchday squad with TJ Perenara coming in as back-up scrum-half in place of Brad Weber in the only change to the replacement backs for the second of two successive tests at Eden Park in Auckland.
The starting forward pack is unchanged from last week’s match, and hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho retains his spot on the bench after being called in last week as a late replacement for Dane Coles, who had a calf problem.
Lock Scott Barrett was another late withdrawal last week due to illness, but he was named on a bench also featuring his brothers Beauden and Jordie, who will provide backline cover.
The match doubles as the second Test in the Bledisloe Cup series with Australia needing to snap their 35-year victory drought against the All Blacks at Eden Park to keep alive their hopes of winning the symbol of trans-Tasman Sea supremacy.
“We’re all excited to be returning to Eden Park for the second Bledisloe Cup test,” All Blacks coach Foster said in a statement.
“We know that Australia will be disappointed with (last week’s) result and will lift. It’s a do or die game for them.”
Starting XV: D McKenzie; W Jordan, R Ioane, D Havili, S Reece; R Mo’unga, A Smith; G Bower, C Taylor, N Laulala, B Retallick, S Whitelock (c), A Ioane, D Papalii, A Savea.
Replacements: S Taukei’aho, K Tu’inukuafe, A Ta’avao, S Barrett, L Jacobson, TJ Perenara, B Barrett, J Barrett.
Australia
Head coach Dave Rennie has added experienced hand Matt To’omua to his young backline.
To’omua, 31, came off the bench last week as Australia finished strongly with a late flurry of tries in the Bledisloe Cup loss and his display has earned him a start at inside centre for the return to Eden Park.
Hunter Paisami moves to outside centre to accommodate him with Len Ikitau dropping to the bench for a match Australia must win to keep alive their hopes of securing the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2003.
Starting XV: T Banks; A Kellaway, H Paisami, M To’omua, M Koroibete; N Lolesio, T McDermott; J Slipper, B Paenga-Amosa, A Alaalatoa, D Swain, M Philip, L Swinton, M Hooper (c), R Valetini.
Replacements: J Uelese, S Sio, T Tupou, L Salakaia-Loto, H Wilson, N White, L Ikitau, R Hodge.
Reuters
What are the best odds?
- New Zealand to win: 1/25
- Australia to win: 9/1
- Draw: 40/1
What’s our prediction?
Australia’s comeback last weekend showed that they do not lack gumption, but they were ultimately outclassed against a New Zealand side that is still off its best. In one week, the gulf in class will surely not be breached sufficiently, and the All Blacks’ Eden Park record should remain in tact.
Predicted score: New Zealand 40 Australia 22