All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has named his team to play Australia at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday 17 October in the second Bledisloe Cup Test. Kick-off is at 4:00pm local time (6:00pm NZT on Saturday 17 October), live on Sky Sport.
Injury absences
Six players are unavailable due to injury: Leroy Carter (ankle), Anton Segner (concussion), Asafo Aumua (concussion), Ethan Blackadder (calf), Richie Mo’unga (calf) and Fehi Fineanganofo (hamstring).
Eight changes to the match-day 23
Rennie has made eight changes to the match-day 23 that played Australia at Eden Park last weekend, three of them in the starting side. George Bower moves from the bench to start at loosehead prop, and lock Fabian Holland joins Scott Barrett in the second row. Wing Josh Moorby, who came off the bench at Eden Park, starts on the left wing.
Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, prop Xavier Numia, loose forward Du’Plessis Kirifi, halfback Cortez Ratima and midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai come into the 23 as reserves, alongside prop Pasilio Tosi, loose forward Shannon Frizell and outside back Rieko Ioane.
Rennie’s comments
“Last week was a big week, with it being our first game back on New Zealand soil after a long tour away and the Bledisloe Cup on the line. We put in a performance befitting the occasion,” Rennie said. “Now we need to back that performance up.”
“The Wallabies are a proud side and they’ll be hurting after last week. It’s a great challenge for us to now face them in front of their home crowd in Sydney.”