Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii stays on the wing for Eden Park, and the reason is wearing black. Beauden Barrett starts at fullback and Damian McKenzie at No.10, two men who will kick. Les Kiss wants Suaalii under every one of those balls, the Sydney Morning Herald reports, so Isaac Henry gets the 13 shirt.
“Keeping consistency in the starting side gives us a solid foundation,” Kiss said.
Would you leave your most dangerous centre on the wing to chase kicks? Tell us in the comments.
The Wallabies team for the Bledisloe Cup opener has one change from Perth. Henry comes in at 13 for the suspended Hunter Paisami, beside a fit-again Len Ikitau, and Harry Wilson captains. Kick-off at Eden Park is 5.10pm AEDT on Saturday.
READ ALSO: The Perth ratings that explain why Kiss barely touched this XV
Suaalii stays wide to hunt the high ball
Suaalii, 25 Tests into his career, keeps the No.11 shirt, with Max Jorgensen on the other wing and Tom Wright at fullback. Henry’s pick at 13 is what makes that possible.
Kiss is gambling here. He’s trading Suaalii’s carrying in the centres for an aerial contest on the edge.
It worked in Perth. Suaalii beat a Springbok in the air to set up Ikitau’s try in the 42-38 win. The All Blacks will have watched that clip all week. If Barrett keeps the ball in hand rather than kicking, Kiss has parked his best carrier on the touchline for nothing.
The partnership Kiss has to trust
Henry is a 27-year-old Queensland Reds centre who debuted as Wallaby No.999 in Japan. The team sheet credits him with four Tests; Rugby Australia’s match preview says Saturday is his third Test start.
Ikitau, the reigning John Eales Medallist, brings 55 caps. Four Tests beside 55. That’s where the All Blacks will run.
A new 13 at Eden Park gets tested in the first five minutes. They’ll run McKenzie straight at him to see if he turns his shoulders.
A bench rebuilt for the final quarter
Kiss has gone with a 5-3 bench, heavy on forwards for the last 20 minutes. Wallaby No.1000 Massimo De Lutiis replaces Taniela Tupou, now in France, and Nick Champion de Crespigny takes Tom Hooper’s spot.
Aidan Ross faces the country he played for. A former All Black, he lines up against them for the first time since switching to Australia, part of an all-Reds replacement front row with Josh Nasser and De Lutiis.
Forty years without a win at Eden Park
Forty years.
Australia last won at Eden Park in 1986 and last held the Bledisloe Cup in 2002. Their most recent win over New Zealand anywhere came in 2020, under Rennie.
They travel six games unbeaten, a run built on wins over Italy, Japan twice, Argentina and South Africa plus a 28-all draw in Mendoza. New Zealand have lost their past three Tests to the Springboks.
Rennie will be the first man to have coached both nations. Rugby Australia sacked him for Eddie Jones. On Thursday, the SMH reports, Rennie insisted this series isn’t about him.
READ ALSO: The Soweto quick tap that was supposed to prove Rennie’s plan
Who’s in the 23: Wilson leads, Alaalatoa hits 95
Ikitau limped off with an ankle problem in Perth and has shaken it off. The pack from that night is untouched, with Lukhan Salakaia-Loto keeping his lock spot while Josh Canham recovers from a hamstring injury.
Caps before Saturday, per Rugby Australia.
- Starting XV: Tom Wright 51; Max Jorgensen 28, Isaac Henry 4, Len Ikitau 55, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii 25; Ben Donaldson 26, Ryan Lonergan 13; Harry Wilson (captain) 43, Fraser McReight 47, Rob Valetini 69; Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 48, Jeremy Williams 33; Allan Alaalatoa 94, Brandon Paenga-Amosa 31, Angus Bell 58.
- Replacements: Josh Nasser 16, Aidan Ross 7, Massimo De Lutiis 3, Lachlan Shaw 5, Nick Champion de Crespigny 5, Tate McDermott 56, Declan Meredith 3, Harry Potter 16.
Can Henry hold the 13 shirt for Sydney?
The return Test is at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday 17 October (3.45pm AEDT). Paisami’s ban opened the 13 shirt, and Saturday is Henry’s chance to make a case for keeping it in the Sydney Test. Here is the full Wallabies fixture list.
Would you have moved Suaalii to 13 and handed the No.11 shirt to a specialist wing?
