0
![Not allowed!](images/buttons/down_dis.png)
![Not allowed!](images/buttons/up_dis.png)
TEAM NEWS: All Blacks wield selection axe ahead of Bledisloe decider
Today at 7:30 AM International
Longtime All Blacks mainstays Owen Franks and Ben Smith have been dropped for Saturday's must-win Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia in Auckland as the world champions seek salvation.
For what coach Steve Hansen has labelled a "massive, must-win" Test he resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes following the record 47-26 defeat by the Wallabies in Sydney a week ago.
Instead, only three players have been axed for the return clash in Auckland but they are all big names with Rieko Ioane joining Franks and Smith on the reject pile.
The two other changes involve Sonny Bill Williams returning at inside centre for the injured Jack Goodhue with Patrick Tuipulotu is in for the suspended Scott Barrett.
Coming into the reshaped backline are greenhorn wings George Bridge (three Tests) and Sevu Reece (one) while Anton Lienert-Brown moves out one place to accommodate Williams.
In the forwards Nepo Laulala, with 19 Tests behind him, takes over as tighthead prop from the 107-Test Franks.
Neither Franks, Smith (79 Tests) nor Ioane (26 Tests) were retained as replacements.
A week ago the All Blacks were on the wrong side of all the key statistics and with their forward pack out-muscled which left scrum-half Aaron Smith struggling to give a quick service to the backline.
But Hansen remains keen to see his twin playmaker scheme gel with Beauden Barrett at fullback and Richie Mo'unga at fly-half.
He has also maintained faith in the loose forward trio of Kieran Read, Sam Cane and Ardie Savea.
"We have worked hard this week on our game and all that comes with it," Hansen said.
"We've had a great preparation and really excited and looking forward to a massive, must-win match for the Bledisloe Cup on Saturday."
The Bledisloe Cup, played annually between the trans-Tasman neighbours, has been in New Zealand hands since 2003 under a system which says the cup goes to the winner of the series and in the event of a draw it stays with the holder.
This puts pressure on the Wallabies to win on Saturday if they are to regain the trophy.
They last beat the All Blacks at Eden Park in 1986 and have lost all 18 matches they have played at the New Zealand fortress since then.
TEAM
1. Joe Moody
2. Dane Coles
3. Nepo Laulala
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Ardie Savea
7. Sam Cane
8. Kieran Read (c)
9. Aaron Smith
10. Richie Mo'unga
11. George Bridge
12. Sonny Bill Williams
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
14. Sevu Reece
15. Beauden Barrett
Reserves:
16. Codie Taylor
17. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
18. Angus Ta'avao
19. Jackson Hemopo
20. Matt Todd
21. TJ Perenara
22. Ngani Laumape
23. Jordie Barrett
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/0...acks-bledisloe
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
TEAM NEWS: Pocock overlooked, Coleman to start, Wright to debut for Wallabies
Today at 2:00 PM International
by Emma Greenwood
The Wallabies have decided not to roll the dice with David Pocock, with the classy flanker again left out of Australia's team to face the All Blacks in the Bledisloe Cup decider in Auckland on Saturday.
Coach Michael Cheika has made just one change to the XV that started in Perth last week, with Adam Coleman coming in at lock for Rory Arnold, who is carrying a hand injury.
Pocock has been recovering well from the calf injury that has ruled him out of almost the entire season but selectors have decided not to gamble on his introduction in the Bledisloe cauldron, instead calling Liam Wright on to the bench.
It's a meteoric rise for Wright, who only made his Super Rugby debut last year but played all but 12 minutes of the Reds' season, his on-ball workrate leading him to finish runner-up to Samu Kerevi for the Stan Pilecki Medal as Queensland's best player.
While Wright could win his first cap, he will be a member of a vastly experienced bench with Rob Simmons named after Coleman's elevation and Adam Ashley-Cooper in line to make his 118th Test appearance.
The 35-year-old will become the 16th most capped player of all time - alongside New Zealand legend Tony Woodcock and France veteran Fabien Pelous - if he takes the field on Saturday night.
Ashley-Cooper is amongst 474 caps of Test experience on the bench which almost matches the total caps of the starting 15 combined (531).
Saturday night's bench is the second most-capped reserve list the Wallabies have ever named for a Test match and the first time that Australia have boasted two Test centurions as replacements, with Will Genia again named in the reserves with Nic White to start his second successive Bledisloe match at no.9.
If they are to win the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2002, Australia will need to break a 33-year drought at Eden Park, a fortress for the All Blacks, who are on a 42-match unbeaten streak at the venue, dating back to 1994.
Australia have lost their last 22 games in New Zealand, with their last victory coming in 2001 in Dunedin.
TEAM
1. Scott Sio (57 Tests)
2. Tolu Latu (14 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (33 Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (20 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (32 Tests)
6. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto (14 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (94 Tests)
8. Isi Naisarani (3 Tests)
9. Nic White (25 Tests)
10. Christian Lealiifano (21 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (22 Tests)
12. Samu Kerevi (vc) (28 Tests)
13. James O’Connor (46 Tests)
14. Reece Hodge (36 Tests)
15. Kurtley Beale (86 Tests)
Reserves
16. Folau Fainga’a (10 Tests)
17. James Slipper (89 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (14 Tests)
19. Rob Simmons (96 Tests)
20. Liam Wright*
21. Will Genia (103 Tests)
22. Matt To’omua (45 Tests)
23. Adam Ashley-Cooper (117 Tests)
https://www.rugby.com.au/news/2019/0...wallabies-team
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
C'arn the bulldogs
Dear Lord, if you give us back Johnny Cash, we'll give you Justin Bieber.
And we were lucky to get zero.
My conspiracy theory is that last week was a setup, but it was a big win for WA!
I must admit Ecky, my words are eaten. Can't blame a ref for that display!