New Zealand v Australia - teams and predictions
BLEDISLOE CUP ROUND ONE: The All Blacks will not only be defending the Bledisloe Cup when they face the Wallabies on Saturday, but looking to preserve an unbeaten run at Auckland's Eden Park.
Their unbroken run of 19 years with the Cup and 27 years without a loss at the grounds known as "the fortress" are achievements that rile Australia.
To prepare for the Bledisloe Cup, the Wallabies won a tense 2-1 series against Six Nations runners-up France and the All Blacks easily won Tests against Tonga and Fiji last month.
New Zealand's performance had Wallabies coach Dave Rennie planning to dominate up front and play a fast, physical and aerial game in the hope of claiming the three-Test series and ending the All Blacks' dominance.
The All Blacks have not been beaten at Eden Park, their spiritual home, in 44 Tests dating back to 1994.
Australia has not won at the ground since 1986, nor held the Bledisloe Cup, which is contested annually by the two countries, since 2002.
Slice of history
While the All Blacks say they are focused on the game rather than extending records, the Wallabies see an opportunity to claim a slice of history.
None of the Wallabies was born when the team last won at Eden Park in 1986.
Captain Michael Hooper said that, though he has not enjoyed repeatedly losing at Eden Park, younger members of the squad have been spared the pressure that comes with playing there.
"It wouldn't be good to put what everyone else says about Eden Park on to them," Hooper said.
"If the way they feel about it is all positive then happy days. It's great to have that sort of feeling and that sort of youthful 'I just want to get out there and play rugby' [sentiment]."
With the Trans-Tasman bubble paused, the All Blacks will be further fuelled by back-to-back Tests at Eden Park before heading to Perth to round off the series.
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"It's a hell of a stadium to play at, and a great challenge for us to go and play there two times in a row against a team that's probably pretty confident," All Blacks hooker Codie Taylor said.
All Blacks scrumhalf Aaron Smith is aiming for peak performance to celebrate his 100th Test.
"It's a special game, 100 for Nuggy [Smith] so that means a lot to us as well, just as much as winning the Bledisloe," added Richie Mo'unga, who was again preferred over Beauden Barrett to start at flyhalf.
Barrett and his brother Jordie have been left on the bench, with Damian McKenzie starting at fullback and coach Ian Foster preferring Rieko Ioane and Sevu Reece on the wings ahead of high-scoring Will Jordan, who has eight tries from five Tests.
Wallabies coach Rennie sees that as an area to be exploited.
"We'll be doing what we can with that back three. It's not the biggest back three in world rugby," he said, promising a repeat of the box-kicks that proved effective against the All Blacks last year.
In the usual pre-match verbal sparring, All Blacks coach Foster dismissed the Wallabies' talk of dominating in the critical forward battle.
"It's not about responding to external stimulus, it's about that internal drive in ourselves to be the best we can be. There'll be no surprises in the intensity," he said.
Players to watch
For New Zealand: Richie Mo'unga has again been preferred over Beauden Barrett at flyhalf. Coach Ian Foster also opted for Rieko Ioane on the wing, despite the Blues flyer preferring outside centre. The Test will be a special outing for scrumhalf Aaron Smith, who will play his 100th Test. Brodie Retallick is back at starting lock. David Havili and Anton Lienert-Brown form a potent midfield combination.
For Australia: Coach Dave Rennie named an all-new back three, with the entire backline featuring a combined experience of just 45 Tests. Noah Lolesio retains his spot at No.10 after his strong displays in the 2-1 series win over France, while Reds scrumhalf Tate McDermott earns his second start at Test level. Jordan Petaia has been named on the right wing for his first international of 2021, with Andrew Kellaway earning his debut start on the left wing. Tom Banks, who with 14 Tests to his name is the most experienced player in the starting backline, has been named at fullback, with Hunter Paisami partnering Len Ikitau in the midfield. Playmaker options Reece Hodge and Matt Toomua have been named on the bench. After an impressive series against the French, youngster Darcy Swain will play in his first Bledisloe Cup Test, combining with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the second row.
Head to head
Most recent results
2017: NZ won 54-34, Sydney
2017: NZ won 35–29, Dunedin
2017: Aus won 23–18, Brisbane
2018: NZ won 38-13, Brisbane
2018: NZ won 40–12, Auckland
2018: NZ won 37–20, Yokohama
2019: Aus won 47–26, Perth
2019: NZ won 36–0, Auckland
2020: NZ & Aus drew 16–all, Wellington
2020: NZ won 27–7, Auckland
2020: NZ won 43-5, Sydney
2020: Aus won 24–22, Brisbane
Prediction
@rugby365com: New Zealand by 18 points
Teams
New Zealand: 15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 David Havili, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Sam Whitelock (captain), 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Dane Coles, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Beauden Barrett, 23 Jordie Barrett.
Australia: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Jordan Petaia, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Andrew Kellaway, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Ala’alatoa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Matt Philip, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Jake Gordon, 22 Matt To’omua, 23 Reece Hodge.
Date: Saturday, August 7
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 19.05 (17.05 AEST; 07.05 GMT)
Expected weather: Showers, becoming isolated. Southwesterly gale gusting 90 km/h, gradually easing. High of 16°C, low of 10°C
Referee: Paul Williams
Assistant referees: Brendon Pickerill and Mike Fraser
TMO: Glenn Newman