All Blacks refresh tight five and overhaul bench for Bledisloe II

The All Blacks have made only three changes to their starting XV for the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney, but extensive changes to the bench.

With the Bledisloe Cup safely tucked away for another 12 months after a 50-19 win in Auckland, Dave Rennie’s side are seeking their 130th all-time win over Australia. They’ll have to do so without the services of Leroy Carter, Anton Segner and Asafo Aumua after the trio sustained injuries in last week’s win.

Carter’s place on the left wing has been taken by Josh Moorby, while Aumua’s place on the bench has been taken by Samisoni Taukei’aho and Segner’s reserve loose forward place has been taken by Du’Plessis Kirifi.

Ethan de Groot has been given the week off as George Bower moves into the starting team and Xavier Numia moves onto the bench. Fabian Holland has also replaced Josh Lord in the starting XV.

Cortez Ratima gets a long-awaited chance to back up Cam Roigard from the bench after being usurped in the pecking order by Kyle Preston during an injury-troubled Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry, and Highlanders fans have got their wish with Timoci Tavatavanawai making it into the matchday 23 on the bench.

“Last week was a big week, with it being our first game back on New Zealand soil after a long tour away and the Bledisloe Cup on the line. We put in a performance befitting the occasion; now we need to back that performance up,” said head coach Rennie.

“The Wallabies are a proud side, and they’ll be hurting after last week. It’s a great challenge for us to now face them in front of their home crowd in Sydney.”

All Blacks team to play the Wallabies

1. George Bower (30)
2. Codie Taylor (113) – Captain
3. Fletcher Newell (42)
4. Scott Barrett (90)
5. Fabian Holland (15)
6. Tupou Vaa’i (52)
7. Peter Lakai (15)
8. Wallace Sititi (24)
9. Cam Roigard (25)
10. Damian McKenzie (82)
11. Josh Moorby (6)
12. Jordie Barrett (86)
13. Quinn Tupaea (30)
14. Will Jordan (62)
15. Beauden Barrett (146)

Reserves

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (45)
17. Xavier Numia (5)
18. Pasilio Tosi (18)
19. Shannon Frizell (34)
20. Du’Plessis Kirifi (8)
21. Cortez Ratima (24)
22. Timoci Tavatavanawai (2)
23. Rieko Ioane (90)

Unavailable due to injury: Leroy Carter (ankle); Anton Segner (concussion); Asafo Aumua (concussion); Ethan Blackadder (calf); Richie Mo’unga (calf); Fehi Fineanganofo (hamstring).