Double Rugby World Cup winner Tim Horan has given his verdict on the decision to start rookie Declan Meredith at out-half against the All Blacks and the alteration that has forced the Wallabies into naming their sixth different midfield partnership in 2026.
With his unbeaten start as head coach shattered last weekend at Eden Park following a 19-50 loss, Les Kiss has named a starting team containing four changes for this Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup rematch in Sydney.
Among them is the selection of the 27-year-old Meredith for just his fifth appearance. He came into the Bledisloe opener in the closing minutes as a sub and now takes Ben Donaldson’s place in the starting team after last week’s No.10 failed to come through training on Thursday.
It’s the latest twist in a position that is in a state of flux for the Wallabies. Carter Gordon, James O’Connor, Tane Edmed, Tom Lynagh, Donaldson and Meredith have all worn the No.10 in the last 14 months, and the jersey has now reverted to Meredith.
“He was very good in Super Rugby…”
“It’s a very brave call from Les Kiss, the coach, and the coaching staff and they’ve obviously backed Declan,” said Horan, the 1991 and 1999 World Cup-winning midfielder, on Rugby Heaven ahead of the second and final Bledisloe Cup match of the year.
“He didn’t have a great game when he came off the bench (in Auckland) and he’d know that and that’s going to sting, but he gets a chance to get back on the horse and start.
“As a finisher or replacement, you want the time to start so you can get into the game. So, great opportunity for Declan, and it’s going to grow the depth hopefully in that number 10 position with Carter Gordon still out. But it’s a brave call and the players will get around him, and the players need to give him options.
“He was very good in Super Rugby, Declan Meredith, apart from probably three or four matches, so he just needs to get to that next level and they are going to give him that chance.”
Meredith for Donaldson is one of two backline changes for the Wallabies, with Harry Potter also coming in for the injured Len Ikitau. His naming on the wing has resulted in the shifting of Joseph Suaalii back to midfield after he had featured on the wing against the Springboks and the All Blacks.
His selection at No.13 outside rookie Isaac Henry is the sixth different midfield pairing selected by the Wallabies in 2026. They ran with Suaalii-Ikitau in four of their nine matches so far, twice paired Henry with Hunter Paisami, and had one-off combinations in Suaalii-Paisami, Ikitau-Paisami and Henry-Ikitau. Now for their 10th match of the year, they have gone with Suaalii-Henry.
Not only is it a new Test partnership, but it’s also a positional change for Henry as he has moved into No.12 to accommodate Suaalii’s return from the wing due to Ikitau’s absence. “I actually like Henry at 12 rather than 13,” reckoned Horan.
“I don’t know whether Isaac would rather play 12 or 13, but I’ve seen him enough at both positions. I reckon he’s a better 12 and we know what Joseph can do at 13, so I’m happy with that combination.
“It’s a good combination and something that they just need to get depth in these positions for the World Cup. That’s what Les Kiss is looking for. It’s been forced.
“I thought they might have potentially left Joseph on the wing to continue that opportunity for him under the high ball. We weren’t great under the high ball; we missed the opportunity at Eden Park.
Wallabies captain’s blunt verdict on Mark Nawaqanitawase’s future: ‘It’s pretty obvious’
“Maybe Filipo Daugunu, I’ve seen enough of him at 13 with the Queensland Reds and how he can add to the game and punch and he has developed his game. He could play on the wing, he could play 12, could play 13, Filipo. But I’m happy with Isaac and Joseph 12/13 combo.”
The Wallabies were beaten in the Auckland air by New Zealand. They retained just two of their five contestable kicks (40 per cent) compared to the All Blacks’ retention of eight of their 11 kicks (73 per cent).
This was a massive change in fortune from the previous game against South Africa, where Australia retained four of their seven contestable kicks (57 per cent) and the Springboks got back three of their eight (38 per cent).
Justin Harrison, another retired Wallaby, felt this was crucial. “Absolutely. Particularly when, let’s call it what it is, it’s a 50/50 scenario. The difference was the All Blacks were kicking when they were going forward, that’s manufactured very well.
“Ruck speed was good. Cam Roigard had plenty of opportunity to get that pinpoint accuracy and the trouble with turning over that sort of possession, it leads to a mismatch in ruck count – 123 rucks to 84.
Want more from Planet Rugby? Add us as a preferred source on Google to your favourites list for world-class coverage you can trust.
“You get more possession, more opportunity for Cam Roigard to then put pressure on defensive lines. Kick strategies are so important now, how you’re doing it and how you’re introducing it.
“We saw the success that Wallabies had against the Springboks in kick strategy was that they were going forward and they were able to manufacture.
“Let’s talk about Joseph Suaalii: design a play around Joseph so it wouldn’t matter if he had number one on his back. The kick-off against South Africa was designed for Joseph…
“When we talk about puzzling selections, I’m probably not so much worried about that. It’s what they’re going to do with the players on the field at the time to get them into the game early. Joseph Suaalii, design some plays around him at 13 now, get him into the game early.”