All Blacks welcome back familiar faces, lose Barrett for Bledisloe

The All Blacks have welcomed back a handful of injured players for their Bledisloe Cup defence at Eden Park, but they have also lost their captain to a shoulder injury.

Codie Taylor, Cam Roigard, Caleb Clarke, Patrick Tuipulotu, and Cortez Ratima are all named in the matchday 23, while Peter Lakai is also set for his first international minutes of 2025 after debuting in Paris last November.

Taylor joins a familiar starting front row of Ethan de Groot and Tyrel Lomax, while captain Scott Barrett’s absence leaves Fabian Holland and Tupou Vaa’i to pack down in the second row. Ardie Savea will serve as captain in the team, joining Chiefs duo Simon Parker and Wallace Sititi in the loose forward trio.

Roigard returns in a tarting role at halfback, joining Beauden Barrett in the halves. The pair will feed the midfield partnership of Jordie Barrett and Billy Proctor. The outside backs see Caleb Clarke return on the left edge after a tumultuous 2025 on the field and off it, with one-cap speedster Leroy Carter back on the right wing. Will Jordan completes the starting unit at fullback.

Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell make up the reserve front row, with Patrick Tuipulotu providing cover for the locks. Lakai is the final forward reserve.

Cortez Ratima has now recovered from the chest complaint he picked up in Argentina and is fit for an impact role alongside Chiefs teammates Quinn Tupaea and Damian McKenzie.

“With all teams being two from four in this Rugby Championship, we all have everything to play for in these final two rounds,” head coach Scott Robertson said. “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.”

Head-to-Head

Last 5 Meetings

Wins

5

Draws

0

Wins

0

Average Points scored

30

20

First try wins

60%

Home team wins

60%

All Blacks team to play the Wallabies

1. Ethan de Groot (36)
2. Codie Taylor (101) (Vice-Captain)
3. Tyrel Lomax (47)
4. Fabian Holland (7)
5. Tupou Vaa’i (44)
6. Simon Parker (3)
7. Ardie Savea (101) (Captain)
8. Wallace Sititi (13)
9. Cam Roigard (12)
10. Beauden Barrett (140)
11. Caleb Clarke (29)
12. Jordie Barrett (75) (Vice-Captain)
13. Billy Proctor (8)
14. Leroy Carter (1)
15. Will Jordan (48)

Reserves

16. Samisoni Taukei’aho (37)
17. Tamaiti Williams (21)
18. Fletcher Newell (29)
19. Patrick Tuipulotu (54)
20. Peter Lakai (3)
21. Cortez Ratima (16)
22. Quinn Tupaea (19)
23. Damian McKenzie (68)

Unavailable for selection: Scott Barrett (shoulder), Ollie Norris (back), Emoni Narawa (rib fracture), Timoci Tavatavanawai (fractured radius).