All Blacks squad naming: Scott Robertson makes three changes to backline to face Australia in Wellington

NZ Herald·

26 Sep, 2024 01:03 AM6 mins to read

All Blacks hold press conference after team naming with Scott Robertson

Scott Robertson has made three changes to the backline for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup test in Wellington with Sam Cane to play his 100th test for the All Blacks.

Cane and TJ Perenara will both start in their final tests on home soil, with the former skipper becoming the 13th All Black to mark 100 tests. Beauden Barrett will start in the No 10 jersey, replacing Damian McKenzie, who moves to the bench. In other backline changes, Anton Lienert-Brown replaces the injured Jordie Barrett at second five-eighths with halfback Perenara starting over Cortez Ratima.

“This will be a particularly special night for Sam and TJ and the boys will put in a performance that honours their contribution to this team. Sam will be joining an exclusive club of All Black[s] centurions, which is testament to his fortitude and work ethic,” Robertson said.

“As a Wellington man and the most-capped Hurricane of all time, we know that TJ is a crowd favourite in the capital and we look forward to him expressing himself on the field in front of friends and whānau at home.”

On the bench, Blues skipper Patrick Tuipulotu returns while David Havili replaces Harry Plummer, who was a late replacement in Sydney.

McKenzie has started every test this season and Robertson said he can play a key role from the bench.

“Damian McKenzie can provide experienced cover at both first five and fullback, as Beauden has previously, and it is great to bring David Havili in to complete the 23, providing strong depth across the backline. We are excited about the opportunity this week to put in a complete performance against the Wallabies in Wellington,” Robertson said.

The All Blacks have struggled in the final 20 minutes across the Rugby Championship campaign and Robertson has named a mix of experience on the bench to help rectify that.

When asked if he feels the All Blacks are close to clicking, the coach affirmed his position that his side could have won each of his tests in charge so far, but did acknowledge there still is some learning and application of what is learned that needs to happen.

“We’ve had opportunities to win every game and we haven’t,” Robertson added.

All Blacks v Australia history

Played 177

All Blacks won 124

Australia 45

Drawn 8

All Blacks points 3959

Australia points 2591

The All Blacks have won eight straight against the Wallabies, their last defeat back in 2020. New Zealand’s longest winning streak against Australia is 10.

All Blacks’ recent record in Wellington

Sky Stadium has not been a great venue for the All Blacks of late. They’ve had one win in their past seven tests in Wellington, going back to the 2017 British and Irish Lions series. The last time Australia visited, the Wallabies left with a 16-16 draw after Jordie Barrett nailed a 79th-minute penalty to earn a face-saving result. The All Blacks’ last two tests in the capital have resulted in a 10-point defeat and an eight-point loss. Ouch.

Since 2017

Lions 24 All Blacks 21, 2017

All Blacks 26 France 13, 2018

South Africa 36 All Blacks 34, 2018

All Blacks 16 South Africa 16, 2019

All Blacks 16 Australia 16, 2020

Ireland 32 All Blacks 22, 2022

Argentina 38 All Blacks 30, 2024

Australia have played the All Blacks six times at Sky Stadium, their only win coming in the 2000 test when John Eales kicked a late winning penalty. They drew the last encounter 16-16 in 2020. Australia do have two other victories at Sky Stadium, both at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, beating USA 67-5 and a quarter-final win over South Africa 11-9.

Australia also have victories over the All Blacks at Athletic Park in 1949, 1964, 1982, 1986 and 1990.

All Blacks v Australia line-ups

All Blacks

1. Ethan de Groot (27) 2. Codie Taylor (92) (vice-captain) 3. Tyrel Lomax (39) 4. Scott Barrett (75) (captain) 5. Tupou Vaa’i (33) 6. Wallace Sititi (4) 7. Sam Cane (99) 8. Ardie Savea (89) (vice-captain) 9. TJ Perenara (86) 10. Beauden Barrett (130) 11. Caleb Clarke (24) 12. Anton Lienert-Brown (78) 13. Rieko Ioane (76) 14. Sevu Reece (29) 15. Will Jordan (36).

Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua (13) 17. Tamaiti Williams (13) 18. Pasilio Tosi (2) 19. Patrick Tuipulotu (45) 20. Luke Jacobson (23) 21. Cortez Ratima (7) 22. Damian McKenzie (55) 23. David Havili (27).

Australia

Named Thursday

Sam Cane to join All Blacks’ 100 club

The All Blacks No 7 is set to reach 100 tests when he takes the field in Wellington on Saturday. Cane has made 76 international starts, with 23 appearances off the bench. He has already reached 100 games for the All Blacks as he played the Barbarians in 2017. Cane made his debut against Ireland in 2012, a 22-19 win in Christchurch. He didn’t lose a test until his 23rd match for New Zealands.

The only top-tier team Sam Cane has never beaten is England. Amazingly, of his 99 tests, Cane has only played England once, which was the 2019 semifinal defeat.

List of teams Sam Cane has played

Australia (24), Argentina (17), South Africa (16), Ireland (9), France (8), Wales (5), Italy (4), British and Irish Lions (3), Japan (2), Scotland (2), Namibia (2), United States (2), England (1) Tonga (1), Samoa (1), Barbarians (1), Georgia (1), Uruguay (1).

All Blacks to play 100 tests

Sam Whitelock 153

Richie McCaw 148

Keven Mealamu 132

Beauden Barrett 130

Kieran Read 127

Aaron Smith 125

Tony Woodcock 118

Dan Carter 112

Brodie Retallick 109

Owen Franks 108

Ma’a Nonu 103

Mils Muliaina 100

All Blacks v Australia form guide (last five tests)

All Blacks: W, L, L, W, L

Australia: L, L, W, L, L

All Blacks v Australia referee

Nika Amashukeli of Georgia will be in control of the second Bledisloe Cup test. He’s been in charge of the All Blacks’ three tests previously including Argentina’s 25-18 defeat in Christchurch two years ago. Amashukeli was referee of the All Blacks’ first test this season, a 16-15 win over England in Dunedin. Australia are 2-0 in games with Amashukeli in charge.