The history on the line in Wallabies’ ‘formidable’ All Blacks challenge

Coach Les Kiss has named a 34-man Wallabies squad that’s bracing for a “formidable challenge” across the ditch, as the All Blacks look to avoid a couple of unwanted feats at their long-standing Eden Park fortress in Auckland.

France were the last team to taste victory over New Zealand at the venue, claiming a three-point win on July 3, 1994. The All Blacks returned to the Garden a month later, starting their still-standing unbeaten run by drawing 18-all with the Springboks.

The All Blacks have prevailed against the Springboks, Wallabies and Ireland in their last three matches at Eden Park. But their remarkable unbeaten run will be put to the test for the final time this year, with the All Blacks facing the Wallabies on October 10.

It’ll be the first time the All Blacks take the field since the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series, with the Springboks claiming silverware three games to one. New Zealand haven’t lost four Tests in a row since the late 1990s, while the Aussies are chasing their own history.

The Wallabies haven’t gone seven matches unbeaten in almost 10 years, with the Michael Cheika-coached side achieving that feat in 2017. But the Aussies are potentially one match away as they continue to build towards Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027.

“It’s going to be tough. They are unbeaten there in [53] Tests at Eden Park so it’s going to be a formidable challenge,” Kiss told reporters in Sydney.

“The Springboks, they raised the standard, we have to try and meet that. This is another challenge and opportunity for us to see where we can go with it.

“We’ve got a huge amount of respect for that New Zealand team so it’s going to be interesting.”

Joe Schmidt’s final game in charge was one to remember, with the Wallabies claiming a 57-10 demolition of Italy in Perth. Kiss then took over, with the side winning four times and drawing once over the last two months.

The Wallabies defeated the Springboks in Perth 42-38 last weekend, but now turn their focus to the Bledisloe Cup series. Taniela Tupou and Tom Hooper are unavailable, but that has opened the door for Wallaby number 1000 to return.

Massimo De Lutiis became the 1000^th representative in Wallabies history, with the front-rower debuting against Japan in Townsville. De Lutiis is back in the mix, and two uncapped prospects could potentially enter the Test arena for the first time.

Harry McLaughlin-Phillips was selected in the squad for the Springboks Tests but wasn’t chosen in the matchday 23. Another Brisbane Boys’ College product, Toby Macpherson, has been named for the first time after captaining the ACT Brumbies in Super Rugby AUS.

“That’s another opportunity to build a little bit of depth. That’s why we brought Toby in,” Kiss said.

“It gives us a chance to bring Massimo in after a slight little issue that he had, he will come back with the squad and we’ll work away with that. It helps deepen that tighthead prop position.

“We’re going to Eden Park. They’re unbeaten in 50-odd Tests or something. Have they lost four games in a row before? I don’t know. It’s going to be certainly tough.”