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Australia 21-43 New Zealand: Bledisloe Cup rugby union international – live reaction

The Guardian Australia - Sport ·
Australia 21-43 New Zealand: Bledisloe Cup rugby union international – live reaction

Wallabies: Australia coach Les Kiss has named Declan Meredith as starting flyhalf and uncapped playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips ⁠as back-up. with both Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson unavailable because of leg injuries.

An injury to Len Ikitau and the continuing suspension of Hunter Paisami ​have forced Kiss to move Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii ‌back into the centres ‌alongside Isaac Henry. Harry Potter comes in on the left wing ‌with Filipo Daugunu covering from the bench.

Former All Blacks loosehead prop Aidan Ross gets a start in the front row with Angus Bell moved back to the replacements. Josh Nasser moves up from the bench to start at hooker with Billy Pollard backing him up and Brandon Paenga-Amosa dropped.

Forwards ‌Josh Canham and Carlo Tizzano also come in to bolster the finishers, a group that includes Kalani Thomas, who is set to win his third cap as back-up to Ryan Lonergan, with Tate McDermott dropped from the matchday squad.

All Blacks: New Zealand coach Dave Rennie made three changes to his starting ⁠side earlier this week, bringing in Fabian Holland for Josh Lord ⁠at lock, ⁠replacing ​Ethan de Groot with George Bower at loosehead prop, and promoting Josh Moorby to cover for the injured Leroy Carter on the wing. Then on gameday he was forced to withdraw Jordie Barrett after the imperious centre complained of a tight calf. Timoci Tavatavanawai comes into the run-on side with Chay Fihaki to debut off the bench.

Richie Mo’unga remains unavailable because of a calf injury so Damian McKenzie gets another run in the No ‌10 shirt, with Beauden Barrett again starting at fullback but joining in the build-up frequently.

“The Wallabies are a proud side and they’ll be hurting after last week,” Rennie said. “It’s a great challenge for us to now face them in ⁠front of their home crowd in Sydney.”

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