Ardie Savea will lead the All Blacks into Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup clash with Australia at Eden Park after captain Scott Barrett was ruled out with a shoulder injury.
Head coach Scott Robertson has made four changes to the side humiliated 43–10 by South Africa two weeks ago — New Zealand’s worst-ever Test defeat.
Codie Taylor returns at hooker, Fabian Holland steps in at lock for Barrett, Cam Roigard is back at scrumhalf, and Caleb Clarke earns his first Test of 2025 on the left wing. Leroy Carter switches to the right, with Will Jordan moving to fullback.
Patrick Tuipulotu and Cortez Ratima return from injury on the bench, while backrower Peter Lakai makes his first matchday squad of the season.
Beauden Barrett keeps the No. 10 shirt despite questions over his form, while Jordie Barrett stays in midfield. Robertson has resisted wholesale changes up front, backing Taylor’s experience to fix the lineout after the pack was overpowered by the Springboks.
“With all teams two from four, everything is on the line in these last two rounds,” Robertson said. “We’re preparing for a strong Australian side. The Bledisloe Cup and Rugby Championship are both in play — Saturday night is massive.”
Australia tops the table with 11 points, just ahead of South Africa and New Zealand (10 each) and Argentina (9).
The All Blacks haven’t lost to the Wallabies at Eden Park in 39 years and will be gunning for a 23rd straight Bledisloe triumph.
New Zealand XV
15. Will Jordan; 14. Leroy Carter, 13. Billy Proctor, 12. Jordie Barrett, 11. Caleb Clarke; 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. Cam Roigard; 8. Wallace Sititi, 7. Ardie Savea (c), 6. Simon Parker; 5. Tupou Vaa’i, 4. Fabian Holland; 3. Tyrel Lomax, 2. Codie Taylor, 1. Ethan de Groot.
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Tamaiti Williams, Fletcher Newell, Patrick Tuipulotu, Peter Lakai, Cortez Ratima, Quinn Tupaea, Damian McKenzie.
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