Above ground, atmospheric conditions are glorious. The temperature in Sydney is mild, the light rain of recent days has drifted away, and the afternoonâÂÂs easterly breeze is on the wane.
The Accor Stadium ground itself looks very patchy. This is the fourth match of a busy day that has already featured the Wallaroos v Scotland, AustraliaâÂÂs menâÂÂs 7s v Fiji, and AustraliaâÂÂs womenâÂÂs 7s v New Zealand.
Team News
Wallabies:
Australia coach Les Kiss has named Declan Meredith as starting flyhalf and uncapped playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips â 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 âÂÂhave forced Kiss to move Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii âÂÂback into the centres âÂÂalongside Isaac Henry. Harry Potter comes in on the left wing âÂÂwith 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 âÂÂJosh 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 â side earlier this week, bringing in Fabian Holland for Josh Lord â at lock, â replacing âÂÂEthan 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 MoâÂÂunga remains unavailable because of a calf injury so Damian McKenzie gets another run in the No âÂÂ10 shirt, with Beauden Barrett again starting at fullback but joining in the build-up frequently.
âÂÂThe Wallabies are a proud side and theyâÂÂll be hurting after last week,â Rennie said. âÂÂItâÂÂs a great challenge for us to now face them in â front of their home crowd in Sydney.âÂÂ
1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor (c), 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Fabian Holland, 6. Tupou VaaâÂÂi, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Josh Moorby, 12. Timoci Tavatavanawai, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Beauden Barrett.
Replacements: 16. Samisoni TaukeiâÂÂaho, 17. Xavier Numia, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Shannon Frizell, 20. DuâÂÂPlessis Kirifi, 21. Cortez Ratima, 22. Chay Fihaki, 23. Rieko Ioane.
15. Tom Wright, 14. Max Jorgensen, 13. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12. Isaac Henry, 11. Harry Potter, 10. Declan Meredith, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 8. Harry Wilson (c), 7. Fraser McReight, 6. Rob Valetini, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4. Jeremy Williams, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Josh Nasser, 1. Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16. Billy Pollard, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Massimo De Lutiis, 19. Josh Canham, 20. Carlo Tizzano, 21. Kalani Thomas, 22. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23. Filipo Daugunu.
The return Bledisloe Cup match for the Wallabies is the showpiece in a glorious afternoon of Australian union beginning with the Wallaroosâ clash against Scotland, followed by two sevens showdowns against the menâÂÂs Fiji side and New ZealandâÂÂs women.
The carnival spirit of the afternoon, however, will be cancelled if the Wallabies are tortured like they were against the All Blacks in Eden Park last week. The 17-14 half-time margin made way for a 50-19 humbling, just the ninth time in AustraliaâÂÂs proud rugby history their menâÂÂs XV have copped a half-century. The win was the All Blacksâ 12th in a row against the Wallabies, quashing optimism that had built steadily over the first three months under coach Les Kiss.
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of Australia v New Zealand in the second and final match of the 2026 Bledisloe Cup. Kick-off at SydneyâÂÂs Accor Stadium is scheduled for 4pm local time (6pm NZDT).
The destination of the humungous silver trophy may already be decided for another year but there remains plenty to play for as the Wallabies sign off on home soil for 2026. Not least demonstrating the capacity to bounce back after a first defeat in six matches.
Last weekendâÂÂs reverse in Auckland exacerbated AustraliaâÂÂs issues at No 10, forcing another round of playmaker musical chairs. It also reinforced concerns over the national teamâÂÂs strength in depth. While the first XV is now world class, and a fully fit squad is up there with the best, injuries, suspensions, and European absentees reveal a threadbare group.
Les KissâÂÂs ability to make the most of the talent at his disposal will be put to the test in Sydney as he makes do without the likes of Will Skelton, Len Ikitau, Carter Gordon, and Taniela Tupou, not to mention a host of other contenders for spots in his matchday 23.
âÂÂWe got a clear picture last weekend of where we need â to be better,â Kiss said during the week. âÂÂWeâÂÂve said all along âÂÂweâÂÂll continue to work âÂÂhard and grow our game, âÂÂand the squad has been impressive in the way they have prepared âÂÂthis week.âÂÂ
The All Blacks are far from full strength themselves but they stormed home in the second half at Eden Park and arrive at Accor Stadium with only minimal changes. They were guided around masterfully in Auckland by Cam Roigard, the scrum-half benefiting from the instinct of Damien McKenzie and experience of Beauden Barrett on his outside.
Even on Australian soil New Zealand will start hot favourites to extend their already record winning streak against the Wallabies to 13.
IâÂÂll be back with final team lists and more shortly. Please send me your emails and keep me company throughout the evening. The address is [email protected].