The All Blacks host Australia in the opening Bledisloe Cup Test at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday, 10 October, with kick-off at 08:10 South Africa time.
New Zealand cannot overtake the Springboks at the top of the World Rugby rankings, regardless of the result. South Africa lead on 93.09 points, followed by New Zealand on 91.15, 1.94 points behind, while Australia are sixth on 85.55.
A New Zealand victory by 15 or fewer points would earn the All Blacks 0.44 points, while a win by 16 or more would add 0.66. A draw would cost New Zealand 0.56 points and give Australia the same amount.
Australia would move up to fifth with a win by 15 or fewer points, gaining 1.56 points. A victory by 16 or more would lift the Wallabies to fourth, adding 2.34 points and leaving New Zealand 4.28 points behind South Africa.
The All Blacks are attempting to protect a 53-match unbeaten run at Eden Park, a world record for a venue. A defeat would be their first against any opposition there since 1994.
New Zealand centre Quinn Tupaea has described Eden Park as the team’s “spiritual home”, but the hosts face an Australian side unbeaten in six matches. The Wallabies have lost their past 24 trans-Tasman Tests at the ground and have not won the Bledisloe Cup since 2003.
“We talk about it, and I think you’ve got to acknowledge, no one wants to be part of the first team for a long time to lose at Eden Park or to lose the Bledisloe,” All Blacks coach Dave Rennie said.
“So we’ve discussed it, and then we use that as fuel.”
Rennie is under pressure after New Zealand lost a three-match series against South Africa, despite winning the opening Test in Johannesburg. The Springboks won the fourth match 43-28 in Baltimore a month ago.
“We’ve got to be better than we were in the last three weeks in South Africa, and we need to see that on the weekend,” Rennie said.
Scott Barrett returns for his first Test in nearly a year, while Beauden Barrett starts at full-back for his 146th Test. New Zealand are without captain Ardie Savea and several other important injured players.
Australia coach Les Kiss has guided the Wallabies to four wins and a draw since replacing Joe Schmidt in July. Their 42-38 victory over South Africa in Perth two weeks ago highlighted a disciplined set-piece, effective game management by scrum-half Ryan Lonergan and strong work under the high ball.
“It’s formidable. It’s going to happen eventually, but it doesn’t just happen, you’ve got to work hard for it,” Kiss said.
The recall of centre Isaac Henry is Australia’s only change from the starting side that beat South Africa.
Teams
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Josh Lord, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 Ethan De Groot.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rieko Ioane, 13 Josh Moorby.
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Isaac Henry, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Harry Potter.
Referee: Andrew Brace (IRFU)
Assistant referees: Luke Pearce (RFU), Damian Schneider (UAR)
TMO: Mike Adamson (SRU)
