Summary
Thank you very much for joining me tonight. It was a harsh lesson for the Wallabies, but a night to remember for the All Blacks at the MCG. I’ll leave you with Angus Fontaine’s report from Melbourne, and I’ll see you back here next week.
Mark down 8 September in your diary because that’s when the All Blacks take on France in the opening match of the 2023 World Cup, in Paris. The dominant side from the southern hemisphere against the number two ranked hosts.
“You’ve just got to train better – we don’t have any other opportunities,” Jones says, singling out the maul for his frustration. He deflected attention away from selection after making seven changes to his starting XV tonight, suggesting only that he needs 33 men for his World Cup party.
“Very disappointing result, clearly not good enough,” bemoans Eddie Jones. His main ire is reserved for his side not converting their early pressure into points and then repeatedly letting New Zealand off the hook.
For New Zealand, it’s full steam ahead France 2023. After six defeats in eight matches from the end of 2021, the All Blacks have found their mojo and are now unbeaten in ten with successive hammerings of all southern hemisphere opponents.
Three defeats on the spin for Australia, who head to Dunedin next Saturday for Bledisloe II. After that it’s over to Europe with a World Cup warm-up against hosts France. There’s every chance the Wallabies will take on Georgia on September 10 without a win in five and uncertainty hanging over a stack of key positions. Eddie Jones has his work cut out.
If tonight’s match could be summed up in one moment, it would be this:
Scott Barrett is that guy 😤🤯
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 29, 2023
Hit if the year.#BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/PuoDh5LRbr
New Zealand retain the Bledisloe Cup and win the 2023 Rugby Championship
Ardie Savea accepts the massive silver Bledisloe Cup, Sam Cane the much more modest Rugby Championship memento. All Black delight in the MCG.
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“That first half was an extremely tough encounter… but we fell short in the second,” laments James Slipper on the dais. Adding, “we’ll keep our heads down and keep working hard and be the better for it.”
Australia look dejected, thousand-yard stares aplenty. The saddest sight of all is Allan Alaalatoa, who began the night as Wallabies skipper, and ended it in a moon boot with a suspected ruptured achilles.
Ardie Savea was understandably delighted with his side’s performance. He picked out New Zealand’s ability to adapt and exploit space in wider areas after Australia began strongly up forward.
“We’ve let down Eddie, and we’ve let down Australia,” concedes a shellshocked Angus Bell. He certainly didn’t. He put in an enormous shift, breaking the line repeatedly, and returning to the field at tighthead after the injuries to Alaalatoa and Tupou.
For the first 20 minutes or so of both halves, Australia were in the contest. For the other couple of 20s the All Blacks showed why they’ve owned the Bledsiloe Cup for over 20 years.
@JPHowcroft this is embarrassing Australia should just abandon rugby as a sport I expected to lose to the all black but not like this
— Steve Smalley (@stevesmalley) July 29, 2023
Full-time: Australia 7-38 New Zealand
The All Blacks will not relinquish the Bledisloe Cup this year.
80 mins: Australia are awarded a penalty deep in their own half. Everyone in gold looks absolutely shattered. The final whistle cannot come soon enough.
78 mins: The clearing kick is quickly marked by a black jersey and New Zealand go through the gears once again, kicking flat crossfield from left to right, then dabbing a grubber to the left corner. It takes all Kerevi’s strength and know-how to clear from his in-goal to the 22.
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76 mins: Australia again torture their fans with slow grinding phases in midfield. Arnold’s telegraphed offload in contact ends the pain for now, but New Zealand are not in a charitable mood. With a side now full of reserves, they suck in defenders for a series of phases before Mo’unga chips to the right corner, turning the gold defence on its heels.
74 mins: More phase play in midfield from Australia, but it goes backwards with Kerevi and Cooper both missing targets. But then some magic from the latter, chipping ahead for Kellaway to grab on the full, only to lose his feet on halfway with a dangerous break emerging. New Zealand gather, kick ahead into the space vacated by the Australian fullback, and as Koroibete bends to collect the bouncing ball Mo’unga robs him and swan dives under the posts. Play is quickly called back for a push on the Australian winger by the New Zealand five-eighth.
73 mins: Australia run the ball back once more, grinding through the phases in midfield until Jacobson picks Nawaqanitawase’s pocket at the breakdown. The ABs counter down the right but they can’t get past Koroibete who slams a superb tackle on the touchline.
72 mins: Maybe there’s life yet? Ten phases in midfield are uninspired until Bell breaks the line and chugs into open field. From 10m out the Wallabies can attack. Kerevi kicks unconvincingly out wide to Valetini, somehow on the right wing, who steps back inside and reloads. Australia move back infield but the All Blacks slow play down and force the turnover, kicking to halfway.
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70 mins: This has become damage limitation for the Wallabies. Another chastening experience for Australian rugby.
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CONVERTED TRY! Australia 7-38 New Zealand (Ioane, 67)
Vintage New Zealand. From one end to the other off the restart, the All Blacks just kept the ball in hand with runners busting the line on every carry. Australia’s knackered 14-man defence had no idea what to do. A missed pass 15m out seemed to have stalled things, but all that did was allow the Wallabies to lose structure in broken field play. A long spiral to the right to Telea from Ioane unlocked the defence, and as bodies converged on the winger, Ioane was back in support for the offload and the score.
Mo’unga kicks the margin to 31 points.
TRY! Australia 7-31 New Zealand (Telea, 65)
After kicking to the left corner the ABs win the lineout and begin their siege of the line. Taukei’aho crawls close. Ioane likewise. Then Jordan opts to stand up instead of driving low, allowing him to free his arms and offload to Telea on his outside, who has an open corner to dive into. Clinical.
Mo’unga fails narrowly with his two-point kick from the right wing.
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62 mins: The result secured, the outstanding Aaron Smith is replaced by the debutant Cam Roigard. His first job is to feed a New Zealand scrum that quickly wins a penalty from the shattered Wallaby front row. This could get ugly for Australia.
CONVERTED TRY! Australia 7-26 New Zealand (Clarke, 58)
From the penalty the All Blacks power down the left edge, and the Wallabies look brittle and isolated. Each drive eats up metres – there’s an advantage on the play – a try looks inevitable. Frizell dives just short of the line. The ball remains alive and Clarke swoops in to gather, dip his head low and burrow over the line. After absorbing all that pressure, New Zealand extend their lead with one swift hit.
Mo’unga continues his excellent night with the boot from near the left whitewash.
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Yellow Card! (Bell)
I only have a skerrick of an idea what’s just happened. The upshot is Laulala was hit by a swinging arm in a carry, and an Australian is in the bin.
57 mins: The All Blacks absolutely monster the third feed, powering through the gold forwards. Poor Tupou is back on the deck in agony soon afterwards. New Zealand make little ground though. Six sludgy phases end with a breakdown penalty Australia’s way – and Tupou finally leaves the field, Angus Bell returns to the fray in his place. This will need a reshuffle of the Australian front row.
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55 mins: Another reset scrum as a Mexican Wave flutters around the MCG.
54 mins: Australia continue to push, working through repeat phases, but New Zealand are up to the task at the breakdown and look to have secured a turnover, only to knock the ball on a split second later.
Tupou looks in all sorts out there, but he remains on the field and packs down for a scrum on halfway. I’m not sure what his injury is, but he keeps doubling over and looking like he might vomit. The scrum is reset, so he packs down again.
53 mins: New Zealand win their own scrum feed 5m out and Savea steamrolls over White as he runs it clear. Kellaway makes a mess of the resulting kick to halfway, but his blushes are spared when the touchie adjudges the ball was already out of play when the No 14 knocked-on.
52 mins: The 5m lineout is safe and the maul begins to roll, slowly, but as it creeps towards the try line it splinters and collapses. Barnes blows his whistle. Which way will his arm point? New Zealand’s! A third almighty let-off for the All Blacks since half-time.
50 mins: The Wallabies are not giving up without a fight. Nawaqanitawase does magnificently on the right to turn a Barrett clearing kick into a counterattack. Koroibete is into the thick of things on the left and New Zealand are penalised at the breakdown. Australia bring on their veteran halves for the final half hour.
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49 mins: Australia restart with a 5m tap and drill their way towards the line – the pressure must tell, surely – gold runner after gold runner pummels the line. Then a whistle. Which way? New Zealand’s! Ardie Savea refused to be beaten on the ground and for the second time this half the All Blacks have denied the Wallabies a certain try.
To add insult to injury, Taniela Tupou – the reserve prop – who led that tap-drive, is now walking very gingerly.
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49 mins: Valetini wins the lineout and taps it down for Leota to steam onto. Valetini is back into the action, smashing into the defensive line. Surely there’s a gap somewhere. Australia look for it on the left with Kerevi, but S Barrett makes a brilliant tackle.
48 mins: Australia attack from right to left but it’s all a little ragged with the ball coming loose on the ground and target’s missed, but it ends with a penalty just outside the 22 with Frizell penalised for playing the ball off his feet. The Wallabies eschew the three points in favour of a kick to the corner, as a small army of players rush onto the field from the bench.
47 mins: The ABs earn a penalty advantage from the 5m scrum so expand through hands from right to left, but Nawaqanitawase and Petaia do well to drag Telea into touch near halfway.
45 mins: From the penalty, Australia kick to the left corner, secure the lineout, and succumb to New Zealand’s ruck pressure. Barnes points his white-jerseyed arm towards the All Blacks’ line and the Wallabies miss a golden opportunity.
The host broadcaster has suggest Alaalatoa may have ruptured his achilles, which is even more devastating news.
43 mins: Australia take the quick uncontested lineout and hit the ground running into New Zealand territory. McDermott is bright, keeping play moving, finding runners. Bell makes ground, so does Kerevi as the drive shifts to the left corner with a penalty advantage. With the free hit, Petaia kicks on the 15th phase to the right corner but it’s a fraction too heavy for Nawaqanitawase.
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41 mins: Gordon safely drop-kicks the restart, and the All Blacks get into their work on their own 22… but Skelton is soon in the action, snaffling his second clean breakdown turnover of the night! New Zealand regroup and B Barrett kicks to halfway.
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The teams are back out for the second half. Can the Wallabies stage a comeback for the ages?
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No shortage of highlights either, from S Barrett’s stunning early tackle and Koroibete’s massive hit on Telea. Lowlights aplenty too, from Alaalatoa leaving the field on a stretcher, to Gordon’s nightmare half with the boot.
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After that initial 20 minutes and some ill discipline at the breakdown New Zealand took control of the match, working through the gears, showing great patience, and now enjoy the reward of a 12-point lead at the break.
It’s all been set up by the forward pack, ably supported by the magnificent Aaron Smith. He has sent everything down Australia’s right wing – as far away from Marika Koroibete as possible. And, if at times a little clunky, it has proven an astute tactic.
Half-time: Australia 7-19 New Zealand
Australia started brightly and played well for 20 minutes but New Zealand just ground them down thereafter, hitting the lead with a man advantage then denying the Wallabies a sniff.
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CONVERTED TRY! Australia 7-19 New Zealand (Jordan, 40)
New Zealand are straight back into their work with Smith orchestrating everything. He heads to the left – again – with runner after runner looking to puncture that side of Australia’s defence. 11 phases tick over as Mo’unga darts towards the 10m line. Then Taylor spins back to the left. Still New Zealand come, recycling play with sharp breakdowns. Phase 19 as Telea reaches 5m from the line under the posts. Now they relase! Through hands to the right and Will Jordan – who else – steps off his line, inside a weak tackle from Petaia, and carries Koroibete over with him for the score. Try 23 in Test 23.
Mo’unga drills a superb conversion from the right touchline.
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40 mins: Off the lineout Telea busts a massive hole in the Australian line and the All Blacks flood forward. It’s pick-and-go from inches out but the Wallabies stick to their task well and force a line drop-out.
39 mins: Play resumes with New Zealand kicking to the 22m line and winning their own lineout ball at the front.
38 mins: The skipper for the night is going to have to leave the field on a medicab. Massive blow for the Wallabies. Taniela Tupou, not long back from a ruptured achilles, and perhaps not expecting more than 40 minutes of action, is on in his place.
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38 mins: From the New Zealand scrum on halfway the All Blacks earn a penalty advantage, allowing Smith to dart to the left hand blindside again. They don’t get far and play is recalled. Meanwhile Allan Alaalatoa, Australia’s third captain in as many matches, is down clutching his left calf.
36 mins: Yikes! Carter Gordon’s boot has been shonky tonight, and it continues with a disastrous drop-kicked kick-off that skews off the outside of his right foot and never threatens the 10m line.
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Conversion! Australia 7-12 New Zealand (Mo'unga, 35)
Mo’unga curls over a beautiful conversion from near the left touchline. New Zealand do take advantage of the extra man.
TRY! Australia 7-10 New Zealand (Taylor, 34)
The lineout is crisp, the maul is irresistible, and as it shears to the left Taylor, the ball-carrier, rumbles over the line. Quality technical forward play from the All Blacks.
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33 mins: Angus Bell receives a bit of treatment, giving everyone a bit of a breather, and allow New Zealand to set-up from a 5m lineout.
32 mins: Second time’s a charm for the All Blacks with J Barrett hitting the line at speed behind the scrum. Taylor continues the drive in the left channel as New Zealand pass the 22m line. Still it’s all down the left and that short-side quick pass routine we’ve seen often tonight comes out, but they run out of room 10m from a score.
31 mins: The Wallabies eat away more seconds with a scrum reset.
30 mins: Undermanned Australia are milking the clock nicely in midfield – until Bell is stripped in the tackle that is – and New Zealand have a scrum on halfway. The All Blacks have offered very little with ball in hand so far. Richie Mo’unga has been very quiet.
29 mins: Apologies, the yellow card was to Koroibete, not Kerevi – I was listening to Wayne Barnes, who called out the wrong number.
28 mins: Can the All Blacks take advantage of 15 v 14? Not like that they can’t. Not for the first time tonight they get it wrong at the breakdown and Australia stall NEw Zealand’s drive just inside their own half.
27 mins: Play resumes with Australia winning their own scrum and belting clear.
Yellow Card (Koroibete)
Still the drama comes … After the no-try call is cleared up, Koroibete is sent to the bin for his deliberate offside that started it all. Blimey.
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26 mins: From the restart Telea takes a quick tap and dives under the posts! Or does he? The TMO gets involved and identifies that the New Zealand winger doesn’t make contact with the ball with his boot to constitute a resumption of play!
26 mins: The lineout is secured but the maul is resisted well by the Wallabies. Back to the pick-and-goes, New Zealand shifting the drive infield from the left, but Australia’s line is rock solid for nine brutal phases. Phase ten gets scrappy and the Wallabies sniff a turnover but black jerseys get back in formation. Battle resumes, but the ball breaks free! And an Australian is first to it – but he’s offside. Penalty to New Zealand under the posts.
24 mins: New Zealand are soon on the front foot on Australia’s 22, profiting from a series of short-side drives among their forwards on the left touchline. Then it’s pick-and-go stuff with the line in sight – Smith darts off the back of the ruck – but he’s held up. There was an advantage on the play anyway, so the ABs kick to the corner and resume their assault.
22 mins: Australia grind in tight on halfway, drawing bodies in until Petaia makes a halfbreak in the right centre channel, extending his right arm for Kellaway to burst on to and reach the 22 – but he cannot continue the momentum. The Wallabies recycle to the left but the whistle blows for a ruck infringement and the All Blacks clear.
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20 mins: New Zealand secure the lineout then get going in tight, but not for the first time tonight the All Blacks are penalised at the attacking breakdown, this time for obstruction. Barnes has given the visitors nothing on the ground early on.
19 mins: Both sides are making a mess of defusing long kicks – precipitating more long kicks in the process. B Barrett changes the line of attack with a chip and chase over Kerevi, and cannily picks a line straight at the leaping centre, earning a soft penalty. The long kick to the left hits touch on the 22.
18 mins: This is a disciplined, efficient Australia so far. Who knew this version existed?
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16 mins: Gordon compounds his poor penalty with his second weird up-and-under of the night, his sliced bomb travelling nowhere. Beauden Barrett seizes the opportunity, chips and chases ahead, to send the All Blacks downfield. Momentum builds for New Zealand, but they are again penalised at the breakdown with gold jerseys pointing for a penalty, that they duly receive.
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Penalty miss! (Australia)
Gordon tugs his effort to the left from 35m out bang in front. That could prove costly.
13 mins: Back to halfway with both sides hitting the line for minimal gain, but Australia earn an advantage with Retallick knocking on trying to wrestle the ball free. That prompts the Wallabies into some nimble phases with Gordon feeding his runners crisply. Eventually there’s another infringement at the breakdown and Australia accept the shot at goal.
11 mins: Australia clear to 40m but the All Blacks run it back until an almighty collision in midfield between the two No 11s – with Koroibete coming out on top by an enormous margin. That was a massive hit! Not only that but it earns the Wallabies a penalty for Telea not rolling away after contact.
9 mins: New Zealand drive menacingly to Australia’s 10m line. Phase nine looms as a crucial one, and Skelton is alert to it, remaining on his feet and picking the ball off the ground to force a beautiful turnover. Superb breakdown work from the big lock.
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TRY! Australia 7-5 New Zealand (Valetini, 7)
The TMO took play back a phase to when Australia were camped under the posts with repeat short drives. One of those, from Valetini, looked a chance in real-time, but there were questions over whether the big forward had touched down over the line, so the Wallabies sent the ball wide just to make sure. As that effort in the corner was ruled out, play returned to the posts, with the TMO concluding Valetini had done enough to urge the ball to the ground. Australia hit back immediately!
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6 mins: Scratch that. The TMO reviews the footage and shows Koroibete’s left arm in touch as he grounds with his right. But hang on…
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5 mins: Australia steady the ship with a multi-phase drive to halfway. Can they find a line break? Yes! Nawaqanitawase gallops into open space with only the fullback to beat. He arcs his run, accepts contact and the Wallabies launch a mighty assault on the line. Skelton and Holloway both go close but are held up a fraction short. New Zealand are desperately scrambling. There must be space out wide – there is – and pass-catch reaches Koroibete who dives full length into the corner – try for Australia!
TRY! Australia 0-5 New Zealand (Frizell, 3)
Wow! Australia execute a perfect lineout but the second McDermott accepts possession off Holloway’s tap-down, Scott Barrett flies like a human missile into the unguarded scrum-half, taking man and ball and sending shrapnel flying everywhere. Frizell swoops in, scoops up the loose ball and touches down. Blimey, that tackle will go down in Bledisloe history.
Mo’unga misses a gettable conversion.
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3 mins: Australia secure the lineout but go nowhere with ball in hand. Gordon tries a very shallow Garryowen that allows the All Blacks to reset. A bomb to halfway isn’t claimed by the defence and Smith continues the momentum with a delightful kick to the right corner… and then…
2 mins: Both sides exchange early kicks before the Wallabies take a couple of tackles. Kerevi goes back to his boot, allowing New Zealand to work through some phases on halfway, but it ends disappointingly with Smith missing the target of Frizell and the ball bouncing into touch.
Kick-off!
Bledisloe I is under way…
As the All Blacks begin what looks like a Kapa o Pango Haka, Allan Alaalatoa walks forward and places a boomerang on the centre spot as an acceptance of the challenge.
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The Welcome to Country is a delight, complete with a tiny tearaway dancer. The anthems are typically full throated. The big screen operator cuts to Eddie Jones wearing his now trademark call centre operator’s earpiece and microphone. Everything in its right place.
There’s a much louder roar for the arrival of the Wallabies, led by Allan Alaalatoa. Australia are wearing their golden First Nations jersey tonight, with green shorts and socks.
Ardie Savea leads his side out of the changing rooms, past the canteen, and up the race of the MCG. Plenty of cheers greet New Zealand, who are wearing their familiar all black uniform.
As we inch towards kick-off – clearly nowhere near the scheduled time of 7.45 – I’ll point you in the direction of Angus Fontaine to set the scene. A scene that reads like something from the screenplay of a horror movie if you’re an Australian.
Few give the Wallabies any hope. The men in gold were diabolical in the 43-12 loss to South Africa in Pretoria, self-destructing in the 34-31 defeat to Argentina in Sydney. Now they face a New Zealand side who blew South Africa away with 17 points in as many minutes and did even worse to Argentina, scoring three tries in 12 minutes to lead 31-0 inside half an hour. It’s not a form line that screams “Australia to win the Bledisloe for the first time in 21 years”.
I’m here at the MCG, and I know Melburnians love their dark garb but the early crowd is decidedly black with flecks of Wallaby gold. Let’s hope the locals empty out of the pubs soon and the gold rush begins.
Australian Crawl’s Boys Light Up is playing full blast on the PA system – a portent of Eddie’s threat for his young guns to “light up the MCG”?
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The All Blacks have kindly knocked up a stats graphic for us.
Battle for the Bledisloe begins Saturday 🏆#AUSvNZL #BledisloeCup #LipovitanD #Taisho pic.twitter.com/OvUoD8CUmZ
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 27, 2023
The most experienced referee in international rugby, England’s Wayne Barnes, is your man in the middle for the night. With over 100 caps, Barnes has refereed more Tests that anybody in history. At the age of 21, Barnes became the youngest referee ever appointed to England’s Panel of National Referees. That was back in 2001, the last time Australia won the Bledisloe outright.
A shot clock to prevent time-wasting and a “Bunker” review system for upgrading yellow cards to red are among innovations that will be in place for the upcoming Rugby World Cup warm-up matches this summer.
It’s been a beautiful winter’s day in Melbourne, with the City bathed in sunshine and temperatures hitting a balmy 18C. A northerly breeze has done its best to be noticed, but that is running out of steam as night falls.
The ground was used last night for a huge match in the AFL, so conditions underfoot may not be ideal, and there are likely to be some stubborn pitch markings in un-rugby-like places.
The MCG has hosted three Bledisloe Cup clashes, with an average attendance of 81,529. The All Blacks won 33-18 in 1997, then a year later the Wallabies evened the ledger 24-16. Most recently, in 2007, Australia claimed a narrow 20-15 victory.
Waiting for kickoff time @MCG#BledisloeCup #AUSvNZL pic.twitter.com/j50GCUL3EP
— Lice Cokanasiga (@CokanasigaLice) July 29, 2023
The All Blacks have cultivated one of the most rock solid brands in sport, but their choice of front-of-shirt sponsor could be a rare misstep.
For anyone heading to the MCG tonight – or there already – a trip to the MCC library is always a treat. True to form, they’ve even published a Bledisloe fact sheet.
Our special 4 page fact sheet for today's #WallabiesAllBlacks #BledisloeCup Test is now available for @MCC_Members @MelbCCLibrary on L3, 50yr Members Room L2, & Membership L1. If following game at home, it is on @MCG app or download online copy at https://t.co/IR7NZ6BAlq pic.twitter.com/U3YjcGoz2Q
— Melbourne Cricket Club Library (@MelbCCLibrary) July 29, 2023
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This is worth a few minutes of your time as the two squads go through their paces out in the middle of the G.
Here’s more on the selection of the two line-ups.
New Zealand XV
By contrast, the in-form All Blacks make only one change, with skipper Sam Crane nursing a neck strain allowing Dalton Papali’i an opportunity in the back row. Coach Ian Foster also has the luxury of easing the class of Anton Lienert-Brown and Samuel Whitelock back into action off the bench after spells out, while Cam Roigard is set to debut from the bench.
“As the final Rugby Championship Test, there is much at stake in this game,” Foster said. “We have learned a lot from two stern Tests so far this year and there is huge excitement about playing Australia at this iconic ground.”
New Zealand: 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5 Scott Barrett, 6 Shannon Frizell, 7 Dalton Papali’i, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 9 Aaron Smith, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 11 Mark Telea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 13 Rieko Ioane, 14 Will Jordan, 15 Beauden Barrett.
Reserves: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Ofa Tu’ungafasi, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Samuel Whitelock, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Cam Roigard, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Caleb Clarke.
Australia XV
Almost exactly six weeks before Australia’s World Cup opener, and for a Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand, Eddie Jones has made seven changes to the starting XV that was humbled at home to Argentina. This overhaul includes an entirely new pairing in the halves, but neither of the two co-captains. It is a sobering indication of where the Wallabies are at, at this late stage of a four-year cycle.
Angus Bell, Nick Frost, and Tom Hooper come into the pack, while in the backs, Carter Gordon makes his highly-anticipated starting debut, alongside the recalled Tate McDermott, Jordan Petaia, and Andrew Kellaway.
James Slipper, Richie Arnold, Nic White, and Quade Cooper all drop to the bench, Len Ikitau is in a race against the clock to make the World Cup after suffering a fractured scapula against the Pumas, while Fraser McReight and Tom Wright have been jettisoned altogether.
“We are a team that wants to make Australia proud and Saturday night is a great opportunity to light up the MCG,” Jones said. “A young starting 15 and vibrant, experienced finishers will give us the 80 minutes we want.”
Australia: 1 Angus Bell, 2 David Porecki, 3 Allan Alaalatoa (captain), 4 Nick Frost, 5 Will Skelton, 6 Jed Holloway, 7 Tom Hooper, 8 Rob Valetini, 9 Tate McDermott, 10 Carter Gordon, 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Samu Kerevi, 13 Jordan Petaia, 14 Mark Nawaqanitawase, 15 Andrew Kellaway.
Reserves: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Richie Arnold, 20 Rob Leota, 21 Nic White, 22 Quade Cooper, 23 Izaia Perese.
Here's how we'll line up at the 'G tonight!
— Wallabies (@wallabies) July 29, 2023
🎟 https://t.co/hql1KYtYmq
🗓 Sat 29 July 7:45pm AEST
📺 @StanSportAU @Channel9 @9Gem
📖 https://t.co/dFkrHcDVsX#AUSvNZL #Wallabies @eToroAU pic.twitter.com/KDM8tRWDXU
For 20 years, the Bledisloe Cup has resembled corporal mortification on the northwestern side of the Tasman Sea, but Stuart Walmsley has found at least one reason for Australian optimism.
The All Blacks have held the trophy since 2003, but each year Australian rugby fans find reason to hope, and this time it comes in the form of youth and Mark Nawaqanitawase. The 22-year-old Sydneysider moves like swiftly running water, and will start on the wing for the Wallabies on Saturday as part of a hugely inexperienced team. The stage couldn’t be any bigger: the MCG, and a projected crowd of 85,000.
Angus Fontaine did his best to put a positive spin on the wreckage of Australia’s defeat to Argentina.
Last week, Australia were a rabble and the Springboks turned them to boerewors inside an hour. Against Argentina they were brave in defence and audacious in attack but dumb errors and poor composure hobbled them. But with 32% possession, it was a miracle they got as close to winning as they did.
Preamble
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Australia v New Zealand in round three of The Rugby Championship. Kick-off at the Melbourne Cricket Ground is 7.45pm AEST.
It’s been a horror series so far for the Wallabies, and a nightmare return to the hot seat for Eddie Jones. After consecutive defeats – the first a thumping by the Springboks, the second after being outplayed by the Pumas – questions are once again being asked about the health of Australian rugby. With the World Cup on the horizon, a morale boosting victory over New Zealand is needed.
But, typically, the All Blacks will be no pushovers. They’ve owned the Bledisloe Cup for most of this millennium and in recent weeks have flexed their muscles against Argentina and South Africa. A breathtaking first-half spell against the Springboks a fortnight ago was as potent as any seen this hemisphere for some time. Coach Ian Foster will relish the opportunity to add the finishing touches to his side’s World Cup preparations on hostile turf.
I’ll be back with teams news and insights from the two camps shortly. If you want to get in touch at any point you can always send me an email.
Another chapter about to be written 🖤#AUSvNZL #BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/tlRwgzdRSd
— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) July 28, 2023
