ALL BLACKS TEAM TO FACE WALLABIES IN BLEDISLOE CUP TEST NAMED

Prop Ethan de Groot, wing Caleb Clarke and fullback Beauden Barrett are back in the All Blacks starting XV for Saturday's Bledisloe Cup opener in Sydney.

Coach Scott Robertson has made four changes to the run on side.

De Groot replaces Tamaiti Williams, who drops to the bench, while Caleb Clarke takes over from Mark Tele'a who misses out on the matchday 23.

Will Jordan moves to the right wing pushing Sevu Reece to the reserves, with Barrett at fullback.

The loose forward trio of Ardie Savea, Sam Cane and Wallace Sititi remains unchanged, with captain Scott Barrett and Tupou Vai'i at lock.

Cortez Ratima again starts at halfback inside Damian McKenzie with Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane in the midfield.

With prop Fletcher Newell unavailable due to injury, Pasilio Tosi comes on to the bench alongside Asafo Aumua, Williams, Sam Darry, Luke Jacobson, TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown and Reece.

Robertson is confident the selectors have made the right calls.

"We have selected an experienced team which has combinations that have played some of our best rugby this season.

"The Bledisloe Cup is so revered by both of these teams, we are expecting a classic showdown against our Australian rivals. We have acknowledged the rich history of the Cup this week as a team and recognise that history does not bestow any rights. The Bledisloe Cup is always hard-earned and each year is its own chapter in the Bledisloe story."

The All Blacks have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003 and are favourites to retain the trophy again this year.

The opening test is in Sydney on Saturday, with the sold out second test in Wellington the following week.

All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets)

1.  Ethan de Groot (26)
2.  Codie Taylor (91)
3.  Tyrel Lomax (38) 
4.  Scott Barrett (74) (Captain)
5.  Tupou Vaa'i (32)
6.  Wallace Sititi (3)
7.  Sam Cane (98)
8.  Ardie Savea (88) (Vice Captain)
9.  Cortez Ratima (6)
10.   Damian McKenzie (54)
11.  Caleb Clarke (23)
12.  Jordie Barrett (64) (Vice Captain)
13.  Rieko Ioane (75)
14.  Will Jordan (35)
15.  Beauden Barrett (130)
16.  Asafo Aumua (12)
17.  Tamaiti Williams (12)
18. Pasilio Tosi (1)
19.  Sam Darry (4)
20.  Luke Jacobson (22)
21.  TJ Perenara (85)
22.  Anton Lienert-Brown (77)
23.  Sevu Reece (28)

Unavailable due to injury: Fletcher Newell (calf), Ruben Love (quadricep).

2024-09-18T21:03:28Z dg43tfdfdgfd

ALL BLACKS TEAM TO FACE WALLABIES IN BLEDISLOE CUP TEST NAMED

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