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Barrett to start in All Blacks Bledisloe team with few shocks
Today at 6:51 AM The Rugby Championship
by Beth Newman
The debate is over.
Beauden Barrett will start at 10 for the All Blacks in Saturday's Bledisloe, named in a team with few surprises.
Crusaders centre Jack Goodhue is the most unexpected pick in the 23, teaming up with Ryan Crotty in the absence of Sonny Bill Williams.
This will be Goodhue's second Test after he debuted in June against France, beating out experienced campaigner Anton Lienert-Brown for the job.
As expected, Barrett has kept his flyhalf spot despite growing debate about the credentials of Crusaders playmaker Richie Mounga.
Mounga has missed out on the 23 completely, with Damian McKenzie taking the back-up spot on the bench.
It wasn't all good news for the Barretts, with Waisake Naholo winning a start over Jordie in the back three.
In the pack, New Zealand welcomes back Brodie Retallick and skipper Kieran Read from injuries that kept them out of the June Series.
Sam Whitelock will play his 100th Test in Saturday's clash, becoming just the eighth Kiwi to reach the milestone.
Prop Ofa Tuungafasi is a late out for the All Blacks, with Tim Perry replacing the mammoth front rower.
Coach Steve Hansen said the All Blacks needed to step up to start well in this series.
"We're all excited at what is shaping up to be another classic Bledisloe Cup encounter here in Sydney on Saturday night," he said.
"We know that we have to earn the right to perform by preparing well and taking each moment that arises, and that mindset has been reflected in our preparation this week, which has been very good.
"The Bledisloe means a lot to this team and we have the opportunity to show just how much on Saturday night. As far as we're concerned, neither team currently has possession of the Cup and if we want it, we've got to front up and take it."
The Wallabies host the All Blacks in the first Bledisoe on Saturday August 18, kicking off at 7.45pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO, with the Wallaroos taking on the Black Ferns from 5:15pm AEST as well. Buy tickets here.
All Blacks to face the Wallabies
1. Joe Moody (34)
2. Codie Taylor (32)
3. Owen Franks (98)
4. Brodie Retallick (68)
5. Samuel Whitelock (99)
6. Liam Squire (17)
7. Sam Cane (55)
8. Kieran Read - captain (109)
9. Aaron Smith (74)
10. Beauden Barrett (64)
11. Rieko Ioane (16)
12. Ryan Crotty (37)
13. Jack Goodhue (1)
14. Waisake Naholo (19)
15. Ben Smith (67)
Reserves
16. Nathan Harris (13)
17. Karl Tu'inukuafe (3)
18. Tim Perry
19. Scott Barrett (19)
20. Ardie Savea (25)
21. TJ Perenara (45)
22. Damian McKenzie (15)
23. Anton Lienert-Brown (24)
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2018/08...m-announcement
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
Spiro has thrown some hand grenades at the RA and Cheika.
https://www.theroar.com.au/2018/08/1...he-all-blacks/
'I may be a Senator but I am not stupid'
https://omny.fm/shows/the-alan-jones-breakfast-show/cameron-clyne
Link to Senate Report http://www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca
https://www.change.org/p/rugby-australia-petition-for-cameron-clyne-to-resign-as-chairman-of-the-rugby-australia-board
He is right though the Wallabies results since the RWC are dreadful and the players talk as much waffle as Raelene.
'I may be a Senator but I am not stupid'
https://omny.fm/shows/the-alan-jones-breakfast-show/cameron-clyne
Link to Senate Report http://www.aph.gov.au/senate_ca
https://www.change.org/p/rugby-australia-petition-for-cameron-clyne-to-resign-as-chairman-of-the-rugby-australia-board
Best and truest write up on the Wannabes I’ve read in a very long time!
May the FORCE be with you!
5 of the starting forwards and 2 of the reserve forwards from the Crusaders. Who won Super Rugby, again?
The All Blacks could just run-out the Crusaders side; I wouldn't bet on the Wallabies for that match-up.
Don't tell me the sky's the limit when there are footprints on the moon
Robertson a surprise Bledisloe starter for Wallabies, Hodge named at no.13
Today at 1:30 PM The Rugby Championship
by Beth Newman
Waratahs prop Tom Robertson has been elevated into a surprise Bledisloe starting spot after loosehead Scott Sio was ruled out with injury.
Robertson, who came off the bench in June, will make just his third Test start in the Bledisloe opener after Sio's withdrawal over a shoulder complaint.
Though the Wallabies said at the start of the week Sio had been cleared to play, he has been unable to shake off a shoulder issue that he aggravated in the side's recent trial.
Allan Alaalatoa comes onto the bench for the Wallabies after missing the June Series with an injury of his own.
Robertson's is the only real surprise in the starting team, with Reece Hodge taking the outside centre position after injuries to Tevita Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika had no qualms about bringing hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau into the starting spot in his first Test of 2018.
He will be backed up by Tolu Latu, with incumbent Brandon Paenga-Amosa out of the side completely.
Michael Hooper will play his first match since June, named at openside after almost two months out with a hamstring injury.
Matt Toomua is in line to play his first Wallabies Test since the 2016 Bledisloe, named on the bench.
Boom rookie Jack Maddocks pipped Tom Banks for the final bench spot, putting him in line for his Test debut.
The Wallabies host the All Blacks in the first Bledisoe on Saturday August 18, kicking off at 7.45pm AEST, LIVE on FOX SPORTS and via RUGBY.com.au RADIO, with the Wallaroos taking on the Black Ferns from 5:15pm AEST as well. Buy tickets here.
Wallabies to face the All Blacks
1. Tom Robertson (21 Tests)
2. Tatafu Polota-Nau (82 Tests)
3. Sekope Kepu (94 Tests)
4. Izack Rodda (7 Tests)
5. Adam Coleman (23 Tests)
6. Lukhan Tui (7 Tests)
7. Michael Hooper (c) (82 Tests)
8. David Pocock (69 Tests)
9. Will Genia (90 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (58 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (11 Tests)
12. Kurtley Beale (74 Tests)
13. Reece Hodge (27 Tests)
14. Dane Haylett-Petty (21 Tests)
15. Israel Folau (65 Tests)
Reserves
16. Tolu Latu (7 Tests)
17. Allan Alaalatoa (23 Tests)
18. Taniela Tupou (4 Tests)
19. Rob Simmons (85 Tests)
20. Pete Samu (3 Tests)
21. Nick Phipps (64 Tests)
22. Matt Toomua (33 Tests)
23. Jack Maddocks*
*denotes uncapped
http://www.rugby.com.au/news/2018/08...m-announcement
80 Minutes, 15 Positions, No Protection, Wanna Ruck?
Ruck Me, Maul Me, Make Me Scrum!
Education is Important, but Rugby is Importanter!
One of the rare articles by Spiro I've agreed with.
Hasn't this fixture been cancelled under the Mercy Rule?
Will Steve Hansen be break dancing on Saturday?
have a bet with a kiwi at work wouldn t let me take the ABs but gave me 15 points in i think i will be paying![]()
Send in the clowns .... Bernard Foley .... it was good to cut a team from SR because now we have to train harder ??? Spoken like a true professional.
And that is the reason why new Zealand have owned the bledisloe forever
C'mon the![]()
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This is Alan Jones' breakfast beat-up BEFORE Bled 1.
AJ was already raising concerns about the lineout.
https://www.2gb.com/wallabies-coach-...cup-breakfast/
I'm really interested to hear his wrap-up AFTER Bled 1.