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The final round of the Rugby Championship doubles as the first match of the Bledisloe Cup this weekend as Australia host New Zealand in Perth. It’s been a mixed bag thus far from the Wallabies, who stumbled in the opener against South Africa and looked sluggish though victorious over Argentina. The All Blacks are coming off a draw against the Springboks and will need a big performance to rescue their Championship title hopes.
Michael Cheika continues to tinker with his side, making four changes to the starting lineup. Tolu Latu and Allan Ala’alatoa are given their chance to start in the front row. It’s the first appearance of the tournament for the latter, with Sekope Kepu left out of the match day squad completely.
In the backs there are two surprises. The first sees Nic White step back into a starting role with Will Genia left on the bench. The second is the selection of James O’Connor at outside center, his first test start in the midfield having previously been considered primarily an outside back.
Steve Hansen, meanwhile, has nominated arguably his strongest possible lineup with six changes in all, one enforced. Dane Coles swaps places with Codie Taylor to start at hooker, an Scott Barrett steps in for the injured Brodie Retallick. Ardie Savea gets his first look on the blindside with Sam Cane recalled at openside flanker.
There are two changes in the baacks and both significant. Aaron Smith returns at scrumhalf with TJ Perenara dropped to the bench. There is no place for Sonny Bill Williams as Anton Lienert-Brown partners with Jack Goodhue for the first time in the midfield. The hotly-tipped combo of Richie Mo’unga at flyhalf and Beauden Barrett at fullback continues.
Australia haven’t lifted the Bledisloe Cup since 2002, though they have beaten New Zealand six times since. Resting it from the arms of the two-time defending World Cup champions would take a herculean effort, one that the Wallabies have not appeared capable of in well over a year. Expect the All Blacks to continue their dominance in the trans-Tasman series.
Kickoff is set for 5:45pm local time, 2:45am Pacific, 5:45am Eastern. Live broadcasts will be available on ESPN throughout the Americas with TSN streaming on its digital platform in Canada.
AUSTRALIA
1 Scott Sio, 2 Tolu Latu, 3 Allan Ala’alatoa, 4 Izack Rodda, 5 Rory Arnold, 6 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 7 Michael Hooper (capt.), 8 Isi Naisarani, 9 Nic White, 10 Christian Leali’ifano, 11 Marika Koroibete, 12 Samu Kerevi, 13 James O’Connor, 14 Reece Hodge, 15 Kurtley Beale
Replacements: 16 Folau Fainga’a, 17 James Slipper, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Adam Coleman, 20 Luke Jones, 21 Will Genia, 22 Matt To’omua, 23 Tom Banks
NEW ZEALAND
1 Joe Moody, 2 Dane Coles, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Scott Barrett, 5 Sam Whitelock, 6 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 8 Kieran Read (capt.), 9 Aaron Smith, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 11 Rieko Ioane, 12 Anton Lienert-Brown, 13 Jack Goodhue, 14 Ben Smith, 15 Beauden Barrett
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Atunaisa Moli, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Patrick Tu’ipulotu, 20 Matt Todd, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Ngani Laumape, 23 George Bridge
Date: Saturday, August 10
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
Kickoff: 17:45 local (02:45 Pacific, 05:45 Eastern)
Referee: Jérôme Garcès (FFR)
Assistants: Jaco Peyper (SARU) & Shuhei Kubo (JRFU)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Broadcasts: ESPN, TSN.ca
