Prop James Slipper will surpass George Gregan as the most-capped Wallabies player of all time when he lines up against the All Blacks in his 140th Test match, while the All Blacks have recalled three big names for the Bledisloe Cup opener on Saturday.
After making his debut in 2010 against England as a 21-year-old, Slipper will make Australian history after being named as the replacement loosehead prop for the Rugby Championship clash in Sydney.
Slipper is one of just three Wallabies to feature in four Rugby World Cups, and this year broke the record for the most-capped Test prop ever in international rugby.
In other team news, Queensland pair Fraser McReight and Hunter Paisami return to the starting side after recovering from injury. McReight is yet to feature in the 2024 Rugby Championship, while Paisami’s knee injury kept him out of the tour to Argentina.
McReight will start at open-side flanker, with Paisami to partner Len Itikau in the centres as the Wallabies face a must-win match at Accor Stadium to keep alive their hopes of regaining the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2022.
Nic White will start at scrum half, partnering with Noah Lolesio who returns at flyhalf, while Tom Wright has overcome an ankle complaint to win back the fullback spot. Wright’s return forces Andrew Kellaway back to the right wing, with Marika Koroibete remaining on the left edge.
Apart from McReight, the starting forward pack is unchanged, with Angus Bell, Matt Faessler and Taniela Tupou the run-on front row, with the side set to wear their First Nations jersey for the second time this year.
Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams will continue their partnership as the run-on locks, with blindside flanker Rob Valetini and skipper Harry Wilson joining McReight as the loose forward trio.
Sydney’s Brandon Paenga-Amosa will pull on the gold jersey for the first time since 2021 after returning to Australian rugby from France this year. He will join Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa in an experienced replacement front row.
“The players have reconnected well this week for our last game on home soil this year,” Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said on Thursday as his side strives to rebound from a record 67-27 loss to Argentina in Santa Fe.
“We’ve acknowledged the poor finish to our time in Argentina and we’re keen to turn that around on what will be a particularly special day for James and his family.”
New Zealand stars Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan and Caleb Clarke have all been named to return for the All Blacks, and are among four changes from the side that lost their second Rugby Championship clash against the Springboks.
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Clarke has recovered from a back injury to take his place on the left wing, with Jordan on the right wing. In the forwards, Ethan de Groot will return from a neck injury to start at loosehead prop, while Pasilio Tosi will prepare to play just his second All Blacks Test match, having debuted off the bench against Fiji in San Diego earlier in the season.
“We have selected an experienced team which has combinations that have played some of our best rugby this season,” All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson said. “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 Wallabies must beat the All Blacks in Sydney for the first time since 2015 to stop the Bledisloe staying in New Zealand for a 22nd straight year. The second Test will be played in Wellington on Saturday week.
Wallabies: Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (capt), Nic White, Noah Lolesio, Marika Koroibete, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright. Res: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch.
All Blacks: Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett (capt), Tupou Vaa’i, Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, Caleb Clarke, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett. Res: Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Sam Darry, Luke Jacobson, TJ Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sevu Reece.
