All Blacks predicted team v Wallabies: ‘Tweaks’ rather than ‘mass changes’ from Scott Robertson despite Springboks humiliation
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson and wing Caleb Clarke.
Ahead of the All Blacks’ clash against the Wallabies at Eden Park next weekend, we predict the team that Scott Robertson will select for the Bledisloe Cup opener.
New Zealand will be looking to bounce back after their record defeat to the Springboks last weekend and there may be a temptation for the head coach to make mass changes. However, he has previously resisted that when results have gone against them and we therefore expect to see tweaks rather than significant alterations.
15 Will Jordan
Started on the wing against the Springboks but, after Damian McKenzie’s issues under the high ball, it would not be a surprise to see Jordan return to full-back. The All Blacks really need to sort out their aerial game, and having the Crusaders star at 15 will certainly help.
14 Leroy Carter
He hasn’t played a lot on the right wing but, providing Emoni Narawa is still on the sidelines, the speedster could well switch over. Carter had an excellent debut, despite the heavy defeat to South Africa, and is good in the air, so we back him to retain his place in the XV.
13 Billy Proctor
There is a temptation to change it at centre and no doubt that will be part of Robertson’s thought process looking ahead to the Bledisloe Cup but, like Rieko Ioane last year, the head coach has put his faith in Proctor and he is looking more comfortable at Test level. The Hurricanes midfield maestro deserves to keep his spot for now, but a change may not be far away if he fails to shine at Eden Park. It is possibly getting towards his last chance saloon.
12 Jordie Barrett
No about this slot with the youngest Barrett arguably the best All Blacks performer in Wellington. Jordie has produced some excellent displays this season and, despite his side’s attacking struggles. has never failed to shine. He is showing good skills on both sides of the ball.
11 Caleb Clarke
Played for Auckland in the National Provincial Championship for the third time this year, and grabbed another try, albeit in defeat, but Robertson must surely be thinking about bringing him into the XV for the Wallabies clash. As well as his explosiveness with the ball in hand, Clarke was the best back under the high ball last season, and it has been a significant area of weakness for New Zealand in 2025.
10 Beauden Barrett
It was certainly not the greatest day for the centurion last weekend, but it is unlikely that Damian McKenzie will come in for him in Auckland. That was Barrett’s worst display of the year so far, but he has otherwise been excellent this season and will surely take the fly-half reins once again.
9 Cam Roigard
Enjoyed a try-scoring return for Counties Manukau on Saturday and, got through the encounter with no setbacks. That means that Roigard is the favourite to get the scrum-half berth for the Bledisloe Cup opener. He is one of the best nines in the world when fit, and Robertson will hope he has got over his injury issues.
8 Wallace Sititi
The back-rower is still feeling his way back and was part of a loose trio that was outplayed in Wellington, but Sititi is a player that the All Blacks can build their team around. His athleticism automatically gives them front-foot ball, but he also has the skills to vary their attack.
7 Ardie Savea
Like Jordie Barrett, his place in the XV is assured, whether at number eight or openside flanker, but he has settled on flanker this season, with his performances not declining since being shifted. Savea continues to be the All Blacks’ best player and will line up against the Wallabies.
6 Tupou Vaa’i
Simon Parker looks readymade for Test rugby and was one of the few to not let himself down last weekend, but Australia have been competing well in the lineout and Robertson may want some extra security there. Vaa’i also gives them plenty of physicality on the side of the scrum and it makes sense to move him back to blindside.
5 Fabian Holland
Dropped to the bench for the first time in his Test career during the Springboks double-header and, to be perfectly honest, he did not look like an impact player. Holland did steal one lineout, but he also made a couple of errors, including for RG Snyman’s try, as the All Blacks capitulated when the replacements came on. Holland has a great engine and can go 80 minutes if required, so he is better from the start.
4 Scott Barrett (c)
There has been criticism of his leadership at times, particularly after their loss at Sky Stadium, but Robertson won’t change the captain now. It must be remembered that Barrett was utterly exceptional at Eden Park and ultimately deserves his place in the side.
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3 Tyrel Lomax
The tighthead struggled in both Springboks Tests, with the usually world-class scrummager often being sent into reverse. Some have suggested Lomax was undercooked, so he therefore needs more game time to get himself match fit.
2 Codie Taylor
Missed the clash in Wellington due to concussion but, providing he has passed the necessary protocols, Taylor is a shoo-in for the XV. They missed the experienced front-rower last time out, with the Springboks dominating up front.
1 Ethan de Groot
The Springboks caused him all sorts of problems in the set-piece, but he is still a top-class performer and is better suited to a starting role. De Groot is searching for his best form, but he remains one of the best looseheads in the game.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Simon Parker, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Leicester Fainga’anuku
Taukei’aho played well in Wellington, but he dovetails nicely with Taylor, and they missed that impact in the second half against the Springboks. Alongside Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell, they have a fearsome front-row unit coming off the bench. Elsewhere, with three locks in the XV, Robertson can afford to have two loose forwards among the replacements.
Behind the scrum, Cortez Ratima was touch and go for the Springboks, but he should be available for the Bledisloe Cup and will be in the 23 if fit, while Damian McKenzie will be the other playmaker. The final spot is a bit more difficult to predict, but it is time to bring Leicester Fainga’anuku, who can play 11, 13 or 14, into the squad. He was excellent yet again for Tasman, but the one concern is that the clash with Waikato went into extra-time with Fainga’anuku going the distance.
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