‘Not just another game’: Les Kiss on Wallabies taking fight to All Blacks

Coach Les Kiss insists the Wallabies will take the fight to a formidable All Blacks outfit at their long-standing fortress Eden Park, with the hosts boasting more than 1000 Tests caps between the players selected for the Bledisloe Cup series opener.

“It’s not just another game,” Kiss told reporters two days out from the match, as the Wallabies chase a drought-breaking result at the Garden. Australia last defeated their New Zealand rivals at Eden Park in 1986, but the current group are embracing the challenge.

Harry Wilson led the Wallabies to a famous comeback win over the Springboks 14 months ago, as the Aussies snapped a 62-year hoodoo at Johannesburg’s Emirates Airline Park. They are again bracing for a shot at history, with the group full of belief ahead of the Test.

The Wallabies have almost 300 fewer Test caps compared to the All Blacks, with Allan Alaalatoa and Rob Valetini the most experienced players in the run-on side, which has 625 appearances between the 15 starters.

Kiss remains unbeaten in the top job, overseeing four wins and one draw. Dave Rennie has gone with an experienced All Blacks side, but the Wallabies are raring to go ahead of a “significant” contest across the ditch.

“It’s a big game, definitely,” Kiss said.

“They’re a team I have huge respect for. I know our team do. We’re familiar with each other through Super and the closeness of the neighbour and the big Test match that it is. Both counties, the Bledisloe means a lot, so it is significant.

“They’ve named a couple of centurions and they’ve got a lot of caps in their team. It’s impressive and we’re gonna have to be good, that’s for sure, to go out there and put something on that can compete with that.”

145-Test utility Beauden Barrett has been named in the All Blacks starting side for the first time since the 2025 Autumn Nations Series. The 2015 Rugby World Cup winner has only played about 10 minutes during the Test season, coming off the bench against the Springboks in Baltimore.

Ardie Savea and Luke Jacobson are among the loose forwards unavailable, with Codie Taylor taking on leadership duties for the Test. Taylor and Barrett are the two centurions in the side, while another four in the 23 have played at least 80 Tests.

“This is a team that can step forward and see how close we can take it,” Kiss said.

“When you look at that [All Blacks] team and what they’ve put there. Quinn [Tupaea] in the centres, has been the best centre all year. Jordan’s just so electric. [Damian] McKenzie, Beaudy, Codie Taylor, it’s a tough team.

“We’re a team that’s willing to take the fight to them and see where it goes. It’s gonna be tough.”