All Blacks v Australia: Scott Robertson makes four changes for side to to face Wallabies

The All Blacks have made four changes to their starting line-up ahead of the first Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney against the Wallabies from the team that suffered a 18-12 loss to the Springboks in Cape Town.

The big change comes in the back three. Will Jordan moves to the wing so that Beauden Barrett can take up the fullback jersey and Caleb Clarke has recovered from a back injury from injury to slot in on the other wing, with Sevu Reece moving to the bench and Mark Tele’a omitted from the squad.

“When Caleb came back the best balance for us was to put Beauden at fullback and Will on the wing. They’ve had a great combination there, all three of them have,” coach Scott Robertson said, adding that Jordan can move around the field.

“He’s played great test footy on the wing. And just because he’s starting on the wing, it doesn’t mean he can’t finish at fullback.”

Ethan de Groot also returns from an injury to start at loosehead prop, while a second test cap beckons for Pasilio Tosi after he picked up his first against Fiji in San Diego. Cortez Ratima once again gets the nod as the preferred starting halfback over TJ Perenara, who remains on the bench.

Former skipper Sam Cane will line up in his 99th test match, set to bring up his century in Wellington next week in what will be his final test at home before beginning his new contract in Japan.

“The value of his experience on and off the field, his ability to get high tackle counts, be really accurate and slow the opposition ball up is a big factor for us,” Robertson said.

“We’re mindful this is his swansong but when does a song stop? But he’s in good form, and he’s just what we need. A great balance for us and great for Scott Barrett and Ardie and the team.”

Front-rower Fletcher Newell (calf) and outside back Ruben Love (quadricep) are both unavailable to injury.

“We have selected an experienced team which has combinations that have played some of our best rugby this season,” Robertson said.

“The Bledisloe Cup is so revered by both of these teams, we are expecting a classic showdown against our Australian rivals. We have acknowledged the rich history of the Cup this week as a team and recognise that history does not bestow any rights. The Bledisloe Cup is always hard-earned and each year is its own chapter in the Bledisloe story.”

Blues skipper Patrick Tuipulotu was named in the Rugby Championship squad after returning from injury but Robertson says he needs more training before he can be selected.

Tuipulotu has been struggling with a knee injury and did not travel to South Africa so will need another full week of training the All Blacks coach said.

All Blacks side to face the Wallabies

1. Ethan de Groot (26), 2. Codie Taylor (91), 3.Tyrel Lomax (38), 4. Scott Barrett (74) (Captain), 5. Tupou Vaa’i (32), 6. Wallace Sititi (3), 7. Sam Cane (98), 8. Ardie Savea (88) (Vice Captain), 9. Cortez Ratima (6), 10. Damian McKenzie (54), 11. Caleb Clarke (23), 12. Jordie Barrett (64) (Vice Captain), 13. Rieko Ioane (75), 14. Will Jordan (35), 15. Beauden Barrett (130).

16. Asafo Aumua (12), 17. Tamaiti Williams (12), 18. Pasilio Tosi (1), 19. Sam Darry (4), 20. Luke Jacobson (22), 21. TJ Perenara (85), 22. Anton Lienert-Brown (77), 23. Sevu Reece (28)

All Blacks v Wallabies, Rugby Championship test, 5.45pm, Saturday, Accor Stadium, Sydney

All Blacks v Australia history

Played 177

All Blacks won 124

Australia 45

Drawn 8

All Blacks points 3928

Australia points 2563

The All Blacks have won seven straight against the Wallabies, their last defeat back in 2020. New Zealand’s longest winning streak against Australia is 10. They have played 21 times at Sydney’s Accor Stadium (formerly Stadium Australia, Telstra Stadium and ANZ Stadium) of which the All Blacks have won 13. Australia haven’t beaten the All Blacks at the stadium since 2015. Their last meeting at the stadium was a record 43-5 win for the All Blacks.

The Wallabies are coming off a record 67-27 defeat to Argentina, while the All Blacks have lost three of their past four tests.

All Blacks v Australia line-ups

All Blacks

Team named Thursday, 9am.

Australia

Team named Thursday.

All Blacks v Australia form guide (last five tests)

All Blacks: L, L, W, L, W

Australia: L, W, L, L, W

All Blacks v Australia referee

Karl Dickson of England will hold the whistle. He has been in charge of three All Blacks games previously, all wins for New Zealand (2021 – All Blacks 47 Italy 9, 2022 – All Blacks 42 Ireland 19, 2023 – All Blacks 23 Wallabies 20).

All Blacks v Australia TAB odds

All Blacks: $1.17 Draw: $21 Australia: $4.60

All Blacks v Australia - how to follow the action

For live commentary of All Blacks v Australia, join Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio.

The Alternative Commentary Collective will have live commentary from James McOnie & Tony Lyall from 5.45pm on Sky Sport 9 and iHeartRadio.

You can watch the game on Sky Sport 1 and it will be livestreaming on Sky Sport Now.

You can also find live updates at nzherald.co.nz.