Wallabies v All Blacks: Predicted line-up as Scott Robertson looks to ‘brilliant playmaker’ to solve New Zealand’s issues
All Blacks playmaker Beauden Barrett and head coach Scott Robertson.
After four rounds of this year’s Rugby Championship, New Zealand are amongst the also-rans in this year’s tournament with just one victory under their belt.
The All Blacks made a horror start to their campaign as they suffered a shock 38-30 loss against Argentina in Argentina before bouncing back with a comfortable 42-10 victory over Los Pumas in Auckland.
They then faced their arch rivals the Springboks in Johannesburg and were on the wrong side of a 31-27 result before heading to Cape Town for the corresponding match but the home side were triumphant again as they sealed a 18-12 victory.
After those narrow losses, the men in black will be determined to return to the victory trail in this weekend’s highly anticipated Bledisloe Cup opener.
Here is our best bet at a potential All Blacks line-up to face the Wallabies in Sydney this weekend.
Predicted New Zealand team v Australia
15 Will Jordan
All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson answered the prayers of many of his team’s supporters when he shifted the 26-year-old from the right wing to full-back for the second Test against South Africa, but the change in position did not have the desired effect as Jordan was kept in check by the Boks’ defence.
Although he made little impact from the back, it’s not an experiment which Robertson is likely to abandon after just one Test and we expect Jordan to wear the number 15 jersey again.
14 Mark Tele’a
With Jordan continuing at full-back, it means Tele’a is set to retain his spot in he starting line-up although we expect him to be shifted from the left to the right wing where he is set to take over from Sevu Reece.
Although he made little headway with ball in hand against the Boks in Cape Town, Tele’a is an X-factor player who can change the course of a match with his brilliant skill set and that’s what Robertson will expect him to do this weekend.
13 Rieko Ioane
It’s been a topsy-turvy season for the Blues stalwart as he hardly set the world alight in New Zealand’s July Tests against England and was subsequently dropped for their Rugby Championship opener against Argentina.
After losing that match, the 27-year-old was recalled for the next match against Los Pumas and he gave a good account of himself on that occasion and delivered solid performances in the clashes with South Africa which means he should retain his spot in the run-on side for the clash with Australia.
12 Jordie Barrett
Although the youngest of the Barrett brothers is yet to hit his straps for the All Blacks, he has not disgraced himself as he had some good moments on attack while also making his presence with some big hits on defence.
The 27-year-old has developed a good understanding with his midfield partner, Ioane, while his excellent kicking, out of hand and at goal, is an underrated aspect of his game.
11 Caleb Clarke
The Blues excitement machine was arguably the best player on the pitch in the All Blacks’ opening encounter with the Springboks in Johannesburg and was rewarded with two well-taken tries for his efforts while gaining 54 metres on attack.
That was one of his best ever games at Test level but he suffered a setback as a back injury ruled him out of the next encounter against the world champions. However, he should be fit to face the Wallabies and we expect him to deliver another strong attacking display.
10 Beauden Barrett
Robertson has backed Damian McKenzie as his starting fly-half in all of New Zealand’s previous internationals this year but, if truth be told, his missed goal-kicks in Cape Town proved the difference between his side winning and losing that match.
That means Beauden Barrett is finally set to get his chance as the All Blacks’ starting fly-half after featuring at full-back or off the bench in their previous seven Tests in 2024. A brilliant playmaker, the two-time World Rugby Player of the Year will be expected to run the show with his superb attacking skill set.
9 Cortez Ratima
The rookie scrum-half was preferred to the more experienced TJ Perenara in the second Test against South Africa and repaid the faith which Robertson showed in him with a fine all-round performance during a 66-minute stint on the field.
The 23-year-old delivered a slick service to his outside backs while also testing South Africa’s defence with some sniping line breaks at close quarters and will be hoping to replicate that effort against the Wallabies.
8 Ardie Savea
World Rugby’s current Player of the Year delivered solid albeit unspectacular performances against the Boks but remains a vital cog in the All Blacks machine and will be expected to be at the forefront of the forward effort in Sydney.
There has been calls for him to be shifted to the openside flank, with Wallace Sititi taking over at number eight, but that is unlikely to happen as Savea has never let his country down at the base of the scrum and he is expected to continue in that role this weekend.
7 Sam Cane
The All Blacks’ former captain might be in the twilight of his international career but he showed in Cape Town that he still have what it takes to compete at the highest level and his experience will prove invaluable as New Zealand aim to return to winning ways.
Although he is not as effective as he used to be with ball in hand, the 32-year-old is still excellent on defence while he also makes his presence felt in the breakdown battle which could be crucial in Sydney.
6 Wallace Sititi
Although he is just 22 years old and played an unfamiliar position on the side of the scrum in Cape Town, Sititi caught the eye with an outstanding performance against South Africa.
Sititi made his mark with some excellent attacking runs, finishing with 30 metres gained from 12 carries, while also doing well on defence with eight tackles made and will be hoping to build on that showing against Australia.
5 Tupou Vaa’i
This was a difficult choice as the more experienced Patrick Tuipulotu has recovered from a knee injury which kept him on the sidelines during the previous Rugby Championship Tests and is available for selection again.
However, Vaa’i was one of the All Blacks’ better players in their previous match against the Boks as he was solid in the lineouts and impressed with his physicality on attack and defence. That means he gets the nod ahead of Tuipulotu who should make an impact off the bench.
4 Scott Barrett (c)
The All Blacks skipper missed the opening Rugby Championship Tests with Argentina due to a finger injury but recovered in time for those clashes with the Springboks and was a welcome addition to squad.
Although they suffered losses in both encounters with the Boks, Barrett led from the front as he was a willing ball carrier and put his body on the line in defence and more of that will be expected against Australia as New Zealand aim to end their losing run.
3 Tyrel Lomax
Despite receiving a yellow card – for a needless shoulder charge on Cheslin Kolbe – in the closing stages of the second Test against the Boks, Lomax is one of the players who has cemented himself in the All Blacks’ first choice run-on side.
A powerful scrummager, the 28-year-old seldom takes a backward step at the set-piece, but also does well with ball in hand and in the execution of his defensive duties where he has the knack of putting in some big hits.
2 Codie Taylor
The experienced hooker delivered some underwhelming performances during New Zealand’s mid-year internationals and the early stages of the Rugby Championship but was back to his best against the old foe South Africa as he came to the fore with outstanding individual displays in Johannesburg and Cape Town.
That means he will be one of the first names onto the teamsheet for Saturday’s clash and will be expected to lead the charge against the Wallabies.
1 Ethan de Groot
The Highlanders stalwart has emerged as one of the strongest scrummaging loosehead props in the game in recent years and his absence – due to a neck injury – was keenly felt against South Africa.
Although Tamaiti Williams did not disgrace himself as his replacement against the Boks, De Groot’s return should provide a huge boost to the men in black.
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