The Wallabies’ hopes of snapping their 12-Test losing streak against the All Blacks have been dealt a blow, with Ben Donaldson ruled out of Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney.
The playmaker suffered a groin injury at training on Tuesday and the Wallabies opted against risking him for their last Test on home soil this year.
The absence of Donaldson and regular first-choice No.10 Carter Gordon means Declan Meredith will start for just the fourth time since debuting against France in July. Western Force recruit Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is also poised to become Wallaby 1001, having been promoted to the bench.
In total, Wallabies coach Les Kiss has made four chances from the side that lost 50-19 at Eden Park.
As first revealed by this masthead, Len Ikitau’s injury (concussion) sees Harry Potter named on the wing, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii shifted to outside centre to partner Isaac Henry in the midfield.
The other two changes are in the front row, where Aidan Ross rotates with Angus Bell at loosehead prop. Ross is joined by his Queensland front-row teammate Josh Nasser, with the hooker replacing Brandon Paenga-Amosa, who has been rested after a heavy schedule.
After conceding five second-half tries last week, the Wallabies’ bench has been given a major makeover.
Hooker Billy Pollard returns to link up with Bell and Massimo De Lutiis, lock Josh Canham returns from injury and Carlo Tizzano replaces Nick Champion de Crespigny.
The three back replacements are new, too, with McLaughlin-Phillips joined by his old Queensland teammates Kalani Thomas and Filipo Daugunu on the bench.
The injury to Donaldson will only lengthen the odds of the Wallabies snapping their five-year losing streak against the All Blacks.
While New Zealand have also lost several players to injury, coach Dave Rennie has still been able to name a strong squad that features Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett.
In total, Rennie has made eight chances to his side, including three to the starting XV. George Bower starts at loosehead prop in front of Ethan de Groot, Fabian Holland joins Scott Barrett in the second row and Josh Moorby replaces the injured Leroy Carter.
There are a couple of new faces on the bench, headlined by hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, flanker Du’Plessis Kirifi and wrecking-ball back Timoci Tavatavanawai.
Wallabies v All Blacks
Wallabies (1-15): Aidan Ross, Josh Nasser, Allan Alaalatoa, Jeremy Williams, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (c), Ryan Lonergan, Declan Meredith, Harry Potter, Issac Henry, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Max Jorgensen, Tom Wright.Replacements: Billy Pollard, Angus Bell, Massimo De Lutiis, Josh Canham, Carlo Tizzano, Kalani Thomas, Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, Filipo Daugunu.
All Blacks (1-15): George Bower, Codie Taylor (c), Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa’i, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi, Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Josh Moorby, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Will Jordan, Damian McKenzie.Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Shannon Frizell, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Cortez Ratima, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane.
More to come...