All Blacks v Wallabies: Australian halfback Nic White dropped for second Bledisloe Cup test

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has made the call to drop Nic White entirely for the Wellington test. Photo / Photosport

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has shown a ruthless selection streak by axing two of his biggest names ahead of the second Bledisloe Cup test.

Winger Dylan Pietsch will make his first Wallabies start ahead of Marika Koroibete, while halfback Jake Gordon has returned to the fold to face the All Blacks in Wellington.

Schmidt confirmed on Thursday the two changes to his starting side from the one that was pipped 31-28 in Sydney last week to ensure the Bledisloe Cup remains across the Tasman.

Record-breaking prop James Slipper will also miss the test after copping a head knock in Sydney.

Koroibete was uncharacteristically sloppy in that game and has reportedly battled wrist soreness this week.

Gordon replaces 66-test veteran Nic White at halfback, who lost his place altogether, with Tate McDermott retained on the bench.

McDermott’s Queensland Reds halves partner Tom Lynagh lost his bench spot to Ben Donaldson while centre Josh Flook will provide extra backline cover.

Gordon will partner Noah Lolesio in the halves while the starting forward pack is unchanged for the first time since last year’s World Cup opener.

“We didn’t help ourselves last weekend falling behind early to a fast-moving, high tempo All Blacks side,” Schmidt said.

”We know we will need to start better than we did last week, with the physical edge and accuracy required.”

All Blacks v Australia line-ups

All Blacks

1. Ethan de Groot (27) 2. Codie Taylor (92) (vice-captain) 3. Tyrel Lomax (39) 4. Scott Barrett (75) (captain) 5. Tupou Vaa’i (33) 6. Wallace Sititi (4) 7. Sam Cane (99) 8. Ardie Savea (89) (vice-captain) 9. TJ Perenara (86) 10. Beauden Barrett (130) 11. Caleb Clarke (24) 12. Anton Lienert-Brown (78) 13. Rieko Ioane (76) 14. Sevu Reece (29) 15. Will Jordan (36).

Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua (13) 17. Tamaiti Williams (13) 18. Pasilio Tosi (2) 19. Patrick Tuipulotu (45) 20. Luke Jacobson (23) 21. Cortez Ratima (7) 22. Damian McKenzie (55) 23. David Havili (27).

Australia

1. Angus Bell 2. Matt Faessler 3. Taniela Tupou 4. Nick Frost 5. Jeremy Williams 6. Rob Valetini 7. Fraser McReight 8. Harry Wilson (captain) 9. Jake Gordon 10. Noah Lolesio 11. Dylan Pietsch 12. Hunter Paisami 13. Len Ikitau 14. Andrew Kellaway 15. Tom Wright

Reserves: 16. Brandon Paenga-Amosa 17. Isaac Kailea 18. Allan Alaalatoa 19. Lukhan Salakai-Loto 20. Langi Gleeson 21. Tate McDermott 22. Ben Donaldson 23. Josh Flook