Roigard returns for All Blacks, while Slipper hits 150 for Wallabies

The All Blacks selectors have named their team to play Australia at Eden Park on Saturday, with Ardie Savea to captain the side following a shoulder injury to Scott Barrett.

Five players who weren’t involved in the two Tests against the Springboks enter the 23 this week, as the All Blacks take on Australia in the final two rounds of The Rugby Championship and first of two Bledisloe Cup Tests.

Cam Roigard and Cortez Ratima have both returned from injury to share halfback duties, while lock Patrick Tuipulotu also makes his return from injury to take a spot on the bench.

Caleb Clarke will start on the left wing for his first All Blacks game of the season, after injuring his ankle ahead of the second Test of the July series. That sees Leroy Carter move to the right wing for his second All Blacks Test; Will Jordan shifts to fullback and Damian McKenzie fills the backline impact role.

Loose forward Peter Lakai will also wear the black jersey for the first time in 2025, earning a place in the reserves.

A shoulder injury to Barrett has ruled him out for this match, however, he is expected to be fit for the following Bledisloe Cup match in Perth. Fabian Holland will take the No 4 jersey, partnering with Tupou Vaa’i at lock.

Codie Taylor returns as starting hooker this week, with Samisoni Taukei’aho in support from the bench.

All Black head coach Scott Robertson said the team was looking forward to returning to Eden Park, with both Rugby Championship points and the Bledisloe Cup to play for.

“With all teams being two from four in this Rugby Championship, we all have everything to play for in these final two rounds. We are preparing for a strong Australian side and understand the importance of this match and the Bledisloe Cup. There is a lot to play for on Saturday evening.”

Meanwhile, Wallabies prop James Slipper will create history as the first Australian to reach 150 caps in Auckland.

Slipper has been named to start at loosehead prop against the All Blacks, joining Sam Whitelock and Alun Wyn Jones as the only others to reach the special milestone.

It continues the Queenslander's remarkable journey in the gold jersey, having debuted for Australia in 2010 and represented the country at four World Cups.

The 36-year-old is joined in the front-row by Taniela Tupou, with Brumbies leader Allan Alaalatoa featuring for the first time since the British & Irish Lions tour as a result of a shoulder injury via the bench.

Alaalatoa is one of several returning faces from injury for the Eden Park clash, with lock Nick Frost, winger Harry Potter and centre Len Ikitau returning to the starting side.

Frost partners Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in the second-row, with Tom Hooper shifting to blindside flanker after Rob Valetini's calf injury.

As for Potter, his return is timely after Andrew Kellaway was ruled out with a tight calf, allowing Max Jorgensen to start at fullback for his first Bledisloe Test.

Meanwhile, Tate McDermott will start alongside James O'Connor in the halves in his 50th Test, with the Leicester signing making the mad dash back from the UK.

McDermott's elevation paves the way for Ryan Lonergan to make his debut after several years toiling away in wider squads.

The replacements are stacked with explosive talent, with Jeremy Williams and Tane Edmed shifting back into finisher roles.

“The squad have worked away this week, fully aware of the challenge that awaits at Eden Park," coach Joe Schmidt said in a statement.

“It’s a fitting occasion for James Slipper to reach the milestone of 150 Test matches and for Tate McDermott to represent the Wallabies for the 50th time.”

Opta Pack - The Rugby Championship 2025 Round 5 - New Zealand v Australia.pdf

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New Zealand v Australia at Eden Park, Auckland, New Zealand - 7.05am

Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)

Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Morné Ferreira (SARU)

Television Match Official: Marius Jonker (SARU)

Split Screen/FPRO: Andrew Jackson (RFU)

All Black starting XV: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke; 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard; 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea (capt), 6 Simon Parker; 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Fabian Holland; 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot. Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Damian McKenzie.

Wallaby starting XV: 15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Corey Toole; 10 James O’Connor, 9 Tate McDermott; 8 Harry Wilson (capt), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper; 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Nick Frost; 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper. Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Filipo Daugunu.