AUSTRALIA COACH LES Kiss elevated Declan Meredith to playmaker on Thursday among four changes to his starting side as they look to rebound from a crushing Bledisloe Cup loss to New Zealand.
New Zealand made three changes to its starting side with forwards Josh Lord and Ethan de Groot dropped as they eye a 13th straight victory over Australia.
Meredith will earn his fourth cap at fly-half for Australia in Sydney on Saturday, replacing Ben Donaldson, who is unavailable with a minor upper leg injury. He will form a familiar partnership with ACT Brumbies teammate Ryan Lonergan in the halves.
Prop Aidan Ross comes in for Angus Bell, who will be used off the bench to add strike power in the second-half after the Wallabies were overrun in the final 40 minutes at Eden Park last weekend.
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Ross is one of two changes to the Australia front row, with hooker Josh Nasser replacing Brandon Paenga-Amosa alongside the experienced Allan Alaalatoa.
Australia go into the game without influential centre Len Ikitau who is concussed. In his absence, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii shifts to outside centre, partnering Isaac Henry in the midfield, with Harry Potter coming into the side on the left wing.
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Australia's head coach Les Kiss. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
There are a number of shifts on the bench, with Billy Pollard recalled, combining with Bell and Massimo De Lutiis as the replacement front row.
Josh Canham will make his return from injury as the substitute lock, with Carlo Tizzano providing the remaining forward cover.
Notably, scrum-half Kalani Thomas was included at the expense of the experienced Tate McDermott, who struggled last week, while fly-half Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will make his debut should he be used.
Dave Rennie’s New Zealand side whipped the Wallabies 50-19 at Eden Park last weekend to secure the trans-Tasman trophy for a 24th straight time.
With the silverware safe, Rennie has brought in Fabian Holland at lock to replace Lord while George Bower was preferred as loosehead prop to De Groot for the clash in Sydney.
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Josh Moorby got the nod at wing ahead of Rieko Ioane to replace Leroy Carter who faces a stint out after injuring his ankle while scoring a try in the victory at Auckland.
They are among eight changes to the match-day 23 with forwards Asafo Aumua and Anton Segner (both concussion) and Ethan Blackadder (calf) all out.
Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, prop Xavier Numia, loose forward Du’Plessis Kirifi, halfback Cortez Ratima and midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai come into the squad as reserves.
They join prop Pasilio Tosi, loose forward Shannon Frizell and Ioane on the bench.
New Zealand's Beauden Barrett. Alamy Stock Photo
Alamy Stock Photo
Veteran Beauden Barrett is again at fullback with Damian McKenzie retained at fly-half after being instrumental in helping orchestrate the win last week.
Cam Roigard once more has scrum-half duties with Rennie hoping his kicking game can again cause Australia major problems.
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Australia back Meredith as playmaker, New Zealand make three changes
AUSTRALIA COACH LES Kiss elevated Declan Meredith to playmaker on Thursday among four changes to his starting side as they look to rebound from a crushing Bledisloe Cup loss to New Zealand.
New Zealand made three changes to its starting side with forwards Josh Lord and Ethan de Groot dropped as they eye a 13th straight victory over Australia.
Meredith will earn his fourth cap at fly-half for Australia in Sydney on Saturday, replacing Ben Donaldson, who is unavailable with a minor upper leg injury. He will form a familiar partnership with ACT Brumbies teammate Ryan Lonergan in the halves.
Prop Aidan Ross comes in for Angus Bell, who will be used off the bench to add strike power in the second-half after the Wallabies were overrun in the final 40 minutes at Eden Park last weekend.
Ross is one of two changes to the Australia front row, with hooker Josh Nasser replacing Brandon Paenga-Amosa alongside the experienced Allan Alaalatoa.
Australia go into the game without influential centre Len Ikitau who is concussed. In his absence, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii shifts to outside centre, partnering Isaac Henry in the midfield, with Harry Potter coming into the side on the left wing.
There are a number of shifts on the bench, with Billy Pollard recalled, combining with Bell and Massimo De Lutiis as the replacement front row.
Josh Canham will make his return from injury as the substitute lock, with Carlo Tizzano providing the remaining forward cover.
Notably, scrum-half Kalani Thomas was included at the expense of the experienced Tate McDermott, who struggled last week, while fly-half Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will make his debut should he be used.
Dave Rennie’s New Zealand side whipped the Wallabies 50-19 at Eden Park last weekend to secure the trans-Tasman trophy for a 24th straight time.
With the silverware safe, Rennie has brought in Fabian Holland at lock to replace Lord while George Bower was preferred as loosehead prop to De Groot for the clash in Sydney.
Josh Moorby got the nod at wing ahead of Rieko Ioane to replace Leroy Carter who faces a stint out after injuring his ankle while scoring a try in the victory at Auckland.
They are among eight changes to the match-day 23 with forwards Asafo Aumua and Anton Segner (both concussion) and Ethan Blackadder (calf) all out.
Hooker Samisoni Taukei’aho, prop Xavier Numia, loose forward Du’Plessis Kirifi, halfback Cortez Ratima and midfielder Timoci Tavatavanawai come into the squad as reserves.
They join prop Pasilio Tosi, loose forward Shannon Frizell and Ioane on the bench.
Veteran Beauden Barrett is again at fullback with Damian McKenzie retained at fly-half after being instrumental in helping orchestrate the win last week.
Cam Roigard once more has scrum-half duties with Rennie hoping his kicking game can again cause Australia major problems.
Australia
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– © AFP 2026
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