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The three key matchups which will decide Bledisloe III in Sydney
The teams are in for the decisive Bledisloe III fixture at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday night.
The fixture will both open The Rugby Championship which includes Argentina, and potentially decide the Bledisloe Cup should the All Blacks claim the victory.
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Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has named four debutants in his matchday squad, while Ian Foster has made three changes to the All Blacks side. Notably, James O’Connor has been ruled out of the test with a knee injury, which has opened the door for Noah Lolesio to make his debut.
Ardie Savea was also unavailable for selection after deciding to stay in New Zealand after his second child was born. Blues Number Eight Hoskins Sotutu has been named for his test debut in his place.
With so much on the line in Bledisloe III, here are the three key matchups which will decide the test.
Noah Lolesio vs Richie Mo’unga
Dave Rennie has made a few changes to the Wallabies side that took the field in Bledisloe II, but arguably his biggest bombshell came at flyhalf. To the surprise of many, James O’Connor was ruled out of the test with an injury.
At just 20-years-old, and after only having played three Super Rugby AU matches, Noah Lolesio has been named to replace O’Connor in the starting side, and to make his test debut. He was selected in the matchday side for the opening test against the All Blacks but was an unused substitute.
Lolesio announced himself as one of the brightest up-and-coming talents in Australian rugby with a Player of the Match performance in the Super Rugby AU Grand Final win – it was his first game back in over two months.
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But his biggest challenge awaits him on Saturday, when he takes control of the playmaking reigns and looks to keep the Wallabies’ chances of reclaiming the Bledisloe Cup alive with a win.
To do that, he’ll have to outplay the talented Richie Mo’unga, who is still trying to find his feet in the test rugby arena. It was an improved performance from the Crusaders pivot in Auckland last weekend, who seemed to click with Beauden Barrett a bit more but was still far from his best.
If either player can play to their potential on the weekend, quiet their opposite and control the match, then their sides will go a long way to winning this decisive test on Australian soil.
Lolesio will have his Brumbies teammate in Irae Simone lining up alongside him at inside centre, after he was also named to make his debut. They’re coming up against the combination of Mo’unga and Goodhue however, a partnership which has been trailed and tested at both Super and test level.
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It should be too much to handle.
Advantage All Blacks.
Harry Wilson v Hoskins Sotutu
Wilson wasn’t just one of the best rookies throughout the 2020 Super Rugby season, he was one of the best players period. The 20-year-old has had the Australian rugby community singing his praises over the last few months, as he’s made a near-seamless transition from a stellar campaign with the Reds into the test arena.
In just two tests, Wilson has become a cornerstone of the Wallabies forward pack, having been named to start his second-straight match at Number Eight. Starting at Blindside Flanker in the first test, he stood out for his work rate and passion, while his defence did the talking in Bledisloe II.
Blues Number Eight Hoskins Sotutu is set to liven up against the Australian enforcer on Saturday, having been named to start. Sotutu has been a revelation of his own on the other side of the Tasman.
Last month, Wilson said that Sotutu was “one of the best Number Eight’s in the world.” With everything to play for this weekend, it’s time for the up-and-comers to let their dominance on the field do the talking.
Even though Sotutu has shown moments of brilliance, especially during the Super Rugby Aotearoa season, the Wallabies have the edge here. Wilson’s work rate and reliability sees him get the nod over “one of the best.”
Dane Haylett-Petty v Beauden Barrett
One of the unluckiest omissions to come out of the Bledisloe III team announcements is Tom Banks, who had proven himself to be a solid option at the back for the Wallabies.
Instead he’s been replaced by Melbourne Rebels captain Dane Haylett-Petty, who will make his return to the rugby field after being unavailable for the first two tests of the year through injury.
The 31-year-old is an invaluable addition for Dave Rennie’s side simply due to the experience that he can bring to a youthful backline, after already having faced the Haka seven times. He’ll run out alongside four players in the backs who’ve played four test matches or less.
Coming up against Haylett-Petty is Beauden Barrett, who was electrifying in his return to test rugby in Bledisloe II. In fact, it was arguably one of it not the best game he’s played in a black jersey with the 15 on his back.
If the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year can perform anywhere near how he did in Auckland, then the All Blacks won’t lose.
It’s as simple as that.
Barrett’s playmaking and ability to both spot a gap and make the most of it, gives him the edge over any fullback in the world.
While both men carry plenty of responsibility with them in Saturday’s test, it’s the All Blacks who have the edge at fullback.
Comments on RugbyPass
“South African franchises would be powerhouses if we had all our overseas based players back in situ. We would have the same unbeatable aura the Toulouses, Leinsters or Saracens of this world have had over the last decade or so.” Proof that Jake white does not understand the economics of the game in SA. Players earning abroad are not going to simply come back and represent the bulls. But they might if they have a springbok contract.
22 Go to commentsA lot of fans just joined in for the fun of it! We all admire O'Gara and what he has done for La Rochelle
3 Go to commentsThe RFU will find a way to mess this up as usual. My bet is there will be no promotion into the the Premiership, only relegation into National League One. Hopefully they won’t parachute failed clubs into the league at the expense of clubs who have battled for promotion.
2 Go to commentsWell that’s the contracts for RG and Jordie bought and paid for. Now, what are the chances we can persuade Antoine to hop over with all the extra dosh we’ll have from living at the Aviva & Croke next season…??? 🤑🤑🤑
3 Go to commentsWow, that’s incredible. Great for rugby.
3 Go to commentsYou probably read that parling is going to coach the wallaby lineout but if not before now you have.
14 Go to commentsIf someone like Leo Cullen was in O’Gara’s place I don’t hear Boo-ing. It’s not just that La Rochelle has hurt Leinster and O’Gara is their Irish boss. It’s the needle that he brings and the pantomime activity before the game around pretending that Munster were supporting LaRochelle just because O’Gara is from Cork. That’s dividing Irish provinces just to get an advantage for his French Team. He can F*ck right off with that. BOOOOO! (but not while someone is lying injured)
3 Go to commentsDid the highlanders party too hard before the game? They were the pits.
1 Go to commentsWhat a player! Not long until he’s in the England side, surely?
2 Go to commentsHe seems to have the same aura as Marcus Smith - by which I mean he’s consistently judged as if he’s several years younger than he actually is. Mngomezulu has played 24 times for the Stormers. When Pollard was his age he had played 24 times for South Africa! He has more time to develop, but he has also had time to do some developing already, and he hasn’t demonstrated nearly as much talent in that time as one would expect. If he is a generational talent, then it must be a pretty poor generation.
4 Go to commentsThe greatest Springbok coach of all time is entirely on the money. Rassie and Jacques have given the south african public a great few years, but the success of the springbok selection policy will need to be judged in light of what comes next. The poor condition that the provincial system is currently in doesn’t bode well for the next few years of international rugby, and the insane 2026 schedule that the Boks have lined up could also really harm both provincial and international consistency.
22 Go to commentsJake White is a brilliant coach and a master in the press. This is another masterclass in media relations and PR but its also a very narrow view with arguments that dont always hold water. White wants his team to win, he wants the best players in SA and wants his team competitive. You however have to face up to the reality of a poor exchange rate and big clubs with big budgets. SA Rugby cant compete and unless it can find more money SA players will keep leaving regardless of Springbok eligibility and this happened in 2015 - 2017. Also rugby is not cricket. Cricket has 3 formats and T20 cricket is where the money is at. When it comes to club vs country the IPL is king but that wont happen because the international calendar does not clash with the club calendar in rugby. So the argument about rugby going down the same path as cricket is really a non-starter
22 Go to commentsNZ rugby seem not to have learnt anything from professional rugby. Super rugby was dying and SA left before they died with the competition. SA rugby did a u turn on their approach to international players playing overseas and such players are now selected for Bok teams. As much as each country would love to retain their players playing in local competitions, this is the way the world is evolving my friends. Move with it or stay 20 years behind the times. One more thing. NZ rugby hierarchy think they are the big cheese. Take a more humble approach guys. You do not seem to have your players best interests at heart.
3 Go to commentsBeaches? In Cardiff? Where?
1 Go to commentsHe is right , the Crusaders will be a threat. Scott Barrett, ( particularly), Fergus Burke , Codie Taylor, ( from sabbatical) etc due back soon for the Crusaders. There are others like Zach Gallagher too. People can right the Crusaders off, Top 8 , here we come !!
1 Go to commentsWe will always struggle for money to match the other sides but the least the WRU can do is invest properly in Welsh rugby. Too much has been squandered on vanity projects like the hotel and roof walk amongst others which will never see a massive return. Hanging the 4 pro sides out to dry over the last decade is now coming back to bite the WRU financially as well as on the pitch. You reap what you sow.
1 Go to commentsWhat do you get if you cross a doctor with a fish? A plastic sturgeon
14 Go to commentsWhat happened to feleti Kaitu’u? Hasnt played in a while right?
1 Go to commentsGregor I just can’t agree with you. You are trying to find something that just isn’t there. Jordie Barrett has signed until 2028. By the end of that he would have spent probably 11-12 years on Super Rugby and you say he can’t possibly have one season playing somewhere else. It is absurd. What about this scenario, the NZR play hard ball and he decides to leave and play overseas. How would that affect the competition. There seems to be an agenda by certain journalists to push certain agendas and don’t like it when it’s not to their liking. I fully support the NZR on this. Gregor needs to get a life.
3 Go to commentsHope he stays as believe he can do a great job.
1 Go to comments