Al-anwar Newspaper English news in Australia
A new halves and centre pairing will be used by Australia in the opening Bledisloe Cup match, with Jake Gordon and Bernard Foley trusted to guide the team to victory.
Gordon has unseated Nic White as starting halfback, while Foley returns for his first Test in three years at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne on Thursday night.
And Lalakai Foketi will play just his third Test, starting at inside centre after Hunter Paisami was ruled out.
Tighthead prop Taniela Tupou has also missed selection, he had been struggling with a calf complaint.
Pete Samu has replaced Fraser McReight as the starting openside flanker, going directly against All Blacks captain Sam Cane in the must-win match.
Rob Leota and Rob Valetini join Samu in an all Melbourne-born backrow, while Jed Holloway starts at lock alongside Matt Philip.
In all, there are eight changes from the team that was defeated comprehensively by South Africa a fortnight ago, including Andrew Kellaway starting at fullback with Reece Hodge on the bench, and Dave Porecki replacing Folau Fainga’a as starting hooker.
Captain James Slipper will become the third highest capped Wallaby, behind only George Gregan (139 Tests) and Stephen Moore (129) when he runs out for his 122nd international.
The All Blacks have named a monster pack, with Hoskins Sotutu named as starting No.8 in place of Ardie Savea, who will miss the match after deciding to remain in New Zealand for the birth of his third child.
Scott Barrett moves to blindside flanker, and experienced lock pairing Brodie Rettalick and Sam Whitelock resume their partnership, while Akira Ioane and Dalton Papali’i have been named on the bench.
Three years after believing he’d worn the Wallabies jersey for the final time, Foley will be parachuted back into the key No.10 position to win back the Bledisloe Cup.
The 33-year-old playmaker will line up against the All Blacks for the 16th time, seeking just his third win.
