All Black coach Scott Robertson has made several changes to the All Black team for the last TRC match against the Wallabies.
Robertson and his co-selectors, assistant coaches Scott Hansen, Jason Holland, Jason Ryan and Tamati Ellison have named their All Black team to play Australia in the final round of the 2024 Rugby Championship at Sky Stadium, Wellington.
Loose forward Sam Cane will play his 100th All Blacks Test in front of a sold-out crowd at Sky Stadium on Saturday night. For both Cane and starting halfback TJ Perenara, this will also be the final Test they will play in New Zealand before they begin their contracts in Japan in 2025.
Cane will become the 13th All Black centurion, following in the footsteps of Sam Whitelock (153), Richie McCaw (148), Keven Mealamu (132), Beauden Barrett (130), Kieran Read (127), Aaron Smith (125), Tony Woodcock (118), Dan Carter (112), Brodie Retallick (109), Owen Franks (108), Ma'a Nonu (103) and Mils Muliana (100).
Australia have only beaten the All Blacks once at Wellington’s Sky Stadium – the first time they played there in 2000. The teams drew 16-all the last time they played there in 2020.
The first time the All Blacks played Australia in Wellington was on 6 September 1913 at Athletic Park. The All Blacks won 30-5.
Beauden Barrett currently holds the records for most tries scored in a match against Australia (four in 2018), most conversions (seven in 2017) and most points scored (30 in 2018).
Robertson said this knowledge is a huge motivator for the team on Saturday night.
“This will be a particularly special night for Sam and TJ and the boys will put in a performance that honours their contribution to this team. Sam will be joining an exclusive club of All Black centurions, which is testament to his fortitude and work ethic. As a Wellington man and the most-capped Hurricane of all time, we know that TJ is a crowd favourite in the capital and we look forward to him expressing himself on the field in front of friends and whānau at home.”
The only change to the forwards that faced Australia in the first Bledisloe Cup Test last weekend is on the bench, where Patrick Tuipulotu returns for his first Test since playing England at Eden Park in mid-July.
There are three changes to the back line that started against Australia last week. Perenara starts at halfback with Cortez Ratima providing cover; Barrett returns to start at first-five; and Anton Lienert-Brown will play 12.
“Damian McKenzie can provide experienced cover at both first-five and fullback, as Beauden has previously and it is great to bring David Havili in to complete the 23, providing strong depth across the back line. We are excited about the opportunity this week to put in a complete performance against the Wallabies in Wellington.”
All Black starting XV: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 11 Caleb Clarke; 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara; 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Wallace Sititi; 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (capt); 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot. Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 David Havili.
Wallaby starting XV: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Dylan Pietsch; 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Jake Gordon; 8 Harry Wilson (capt), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini; 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost; 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Angus Bell. Replacments: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Isaac Kailea, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Ben Donaldson, 23 Josh Flook.
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