Winger Dylan Pietsch will make his first Wallabies start ahead of Marika Koroibete, while halfback Jake Gordon has returned to the fold to face New Zealand in Wellington. Coach Joe Schmidt confirmed on Thursday the two changes to his starting side from the one that was pipped 31-28 in Sydney last week to ensure the Bledisloe Cup remains across the Tasman.
Koroibete was uncharacteristically sloppy in that game and has reportedly battled wrist soreness this week. Record-breaking prop James Slipper will also miss the Test after copping a head knock in Sydney.
Gordon returns in place of Nic White, who lost his place altogether with Tate McDermott retained on the bench. McDermott’s Queensland Reds halves partner Tom Lynagh lost his bench spot to Ben Donaldson while centre Josh Flook will provide extra backline cover.
The 31-year-old Gordon will partner Noah Lolesio in the halves while the starting forward pack is unchanged for the first time since last year’s World Cup opener.
“We didn’t help ourselves last weekend falling behind early to a fast moving, high tempo All Blacks side,” Schmidt said. “We know we will need to start better than we did last week, with the physical edge and accuracy required.”
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has moved Damian McKenzie on from No 10 as he searches for answers to New Zealand’s scratchy form under his tenure. Beauden Barrett will start from the pivotal position on Saturday although the 130-Test veteran hasn’t started from five-eighth since 2022.
McKenzie had been picked in all eight Tests this year, with Robertson backing in the 29-year-old as a successor to Richie Mo’unga, who is ineligible for selection as he plays his club rugby in Japan. McKenzie instead will start on the bench in Wellington, as one of three changes, all in the backline.
Robertson denied McKenzie had been dropped, saying “he’s had a great season to date”. “We always planned to give Beauden a go,” he said.
Jordie Barrett is out with a knee injury suffered in the Accor Stadium win, while Cortez Ratima has also moved to the reserves. TJ Perenara comes in at No 9 with Anton-Lienert Brown at No 12.
New Zealand will be packed with experience at Sky Stadium, with all but one of the run-on team – blindside flanker Wallace Sititi – with at least 20 Tests.
Both Perenara and former captain Sam Cane, who will earn his 100th cap, are likely to turn out for the All Blacks in New Zealand for the last time. They are both off to play club rugby in Japan next season, making them also ineligible for selection.
“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,” Robertson said.
“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 whanau at home.”
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Wallabies XV for second Test
Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (c), Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Dylan Pietsch, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright.
Reserves: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Josh Flook.
All Blacks XV for second Test
Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett (c), Tupou Vaa’i, Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan.
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Jacobson, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, David Havili.
