Australia coach Les Kiss has named Declan Meredith as starting flyhalf and uncapped playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips as back-up for Saturday’s second Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand in Sydney.
Kiss suffered the first defeat of his reign as coach in the thumping 50-19 loss last week in Auckland that ensured the All Blacks would retain the Bledisloe Cup for the 24th straight year.
With first-choice flyhalf Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson unavailable because of leg injuries, Meredith gets a run in the No 10 shirt with McLaughlin-Phillips on the bench.
An injury to Len Ikitau and the continuing suspension of Hunter Paisami have forced Kiss to move Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii back into the centres with Isaac Henry.
Harry Potter starts on the left wing in place of Suaalii with Filipo Daugunu covering the outside backs and centres from the bench.
Former All Blacks loosehead prop Aidan Ross gets a start in the front row with Angus Bell moved back to the replacements. Josh Nasser moves up from the bench to start at hooker with Billy Pollard backing him up and Brandon Paenga-Amosa dropped.
Forwards Josh Canham and Carlo Tizzano also come in to reinforce the bench after the Wallabies faded badly in the second half at Eden Park last week.
Kalani Thomas is set to win his third cap as back-up to Ryan Lonergan with Tate McDermott dropped from the matchday squad.
The Wallabies have lost their last 12 meetings against New Zealand.
“We got a clear picture last weekend of where we need to be better,” Kiss said. “We’ve said all along we’ll continue to work hard and grow our game, and the squad has been impressive in the way they have prepared this week.”
New Zealand coach Dave Rennie made three changes to his starting side, including bringing in Fabian Holland for Josh Lord at lock and replacing Ethan de Groot with George Bower at loosehead prop.
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Rennie lost forwards Anton Segner and Asafo Aumua as well as winger Leroy Carter to injuries and concussions sustained in last week’s 50-19 victory, which secured the Bledisloe Cup for a 24th consecutive year.
Josh Moorby has been promoted from the bench to replace Carter on the left wing but most of the injury-enforced changes are to the bench. Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, prop Xavier Numia, loose forward Du’Plessis Kirifi, scrumhalf Cortez Ratima and centre Timoci Tavatavanawai come into the replacements.
Richie Mo’unga is once again unavailable because of a calf injury so Damian McKenzie gets another run in the No 10 shirt after a fine game at Eden Park last week. Beauden Barrett again starts at fullback. Forward Ethan Blackadder is also unavailable due to injury.
“The Wallabies are a proud side and they’ll be hurting after last week,” Rennie said. “It’s a great challenge for us to now face them in front of their home crowd in Sydney.”
Australia team: 15-Tom Wright, 14-Max Jorgensen, 13-Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12-Isaac Henry, 11-Harry Potter, 10-Declan Meredith, 9-Ryan Lonergan, 8-Harry Wilson (captain), 7-Fraser McReight, 6-Rob Valetini, 5-Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4-Jeremy Williams, 3-Allan Alaalatoa, 2-Josh Nasser, 1-Aidan Ross. Replacements: 16-Billy Pollard, 17-Angus Bell, 18-Massimo De Lutiis, 19-Josh Canham, 20-Carlo Tizzano, 21-Kalani Thomas, 22-Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23-Filipo Daugunu.
New Zealand team: 15-Beauden Barrett, 14-Will Jordan, 13-Quinn Tupaea, 12-Jordie Barrett, 11-Josh Moorby, 10-Damian McKenzie, 9-Cam Roigard, 8-Wallace Sititi, 7-Peter Lakai, 6-Tupou Vaa’i, 5-Fabian Holland, 4-Scott Barrett, 3-Fletcher Newell, 2-Codie Taylor (captain), 1-George Bower. Replacements: 16-Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17-Xavier Numia, 18-Pasilio Tosi, 19-Shannon Frizell, 20-Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21-Cortez Ratima, 22-Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23-Rieko Ioane.
