There was so much to like about their performances against South Africa that, while losing the series, highlighted how the All Blacks are the closest challengers to the Springboksâ supremacy.
Under Dave Rennie they have simply gone back to what they are good at â playing at pace and showcasing handling skills that once made them the most feared nation.
There is a lesson there for other teams seeking to topple South Africa: focus on the way you play the game best rather than trying to ape ErasmusâÂÂs men. Richie MoâÂÂunga has the chance to stake his claim for the No 10 jersey in forthcoming Tests against Australia with Ruben Love injured while in Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea, Rennie has a formidable centre partnership.
Leroy Carter does not look up to it defensively but the All Blacks have a habit of unearthing wing sensations in the buildup to World Cups and in Ardie Savea, New Zealand boast the worldâÂÂs best player.
The Wallabies have emerged as contenders for next yearâÂÂs Rugby World Cup as they look to extend a six-match unbeaten run when they face the All Blacks, with lock Jeremy Williams declaring Australia can end a 27-year wait and win the Webb Ellis Cup at home.
Australia are now sixth in the world rankings, three years after they dropped to their lowest of 10th after their elimination from the 2023 World Cup at the pool stage.
Team News:
All Blacks:
Flyhalf Richie MoâÂÂunga and winger Fehi Fineanganofo were both ruled out late in the week. Fineanganofo with delayed concussion symptoms, MoâÂÂunga with a calf tear that will keep him on the sidelines for some time.
They join Ardie Savea (shoulder), Luke Jacobson (elbow), Anton Lienert-Brown (knee), Billy Proctor (shoulder), Caleb Clarke (shoulder), Ollie Norris (knee) and Patrick Tuipulotu (calf) on a significant injury list.
Damian McKenzie shifts from fullback to five-eighth with veteran Beauden Barrett slotting in the No 15. BarrettâÂÂs brother Scott, fresh off a non-playing sabbatical in which he dealt with foot and back injuries, has come straight into the second row.
Wallabies:
The Wallabies make just one enforced change to the starting XV that looked so good against the Springboks with Isaac Henry replacing the suspended Hunter Paisami. That means Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii remains on the wing after his impressive display in the air against South Africa.
There are more changes on the bench with Tom Hooper and Taniela Tupou returning to their clubs in Europe as the two-match Bledisloe Cup series falls outside World RugbyâÂÂs international window. Massimo de Lutiis and Nick Champion de Crespigny come onto the pine, along with fly-half Declan Meredith as Kiss returns to a 5-3 forwards-backs split.
15. Tom Wright, 14. Max Jorgensen, 13. Isaac Henry, 12. Len Ikitau, 11. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 10. Ben Donaldson, 9. Ryan Lonergan, 8. Harry Wilson (c), 7. Fraser McReight, 6. Rob Valetini, 5. Jeremy Williams, 4. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1. Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Massimo De Lutiis, 19. Lachlan Shaw, 20. Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Declan Meredith, 23. Harry Potter.
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor (c), 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Josh Lord, 6. Tupou VaaâÂÂi, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Beauden Barrett.
Replacements: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. George Bower, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Shannon Frizell, 20. Anton Segner, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Rieko Ioane, 23. Josh Moorby.
Eden Park against the All Blacks. It is perhaps the most formidable challenge in rugby union. The last time the home side lost was in 1994, before the pride of New Zealand began their unbeaten run at AucklandâÂÂs famous venue. It now stands at 53 Tests.
AustraliaâÂÂs record there is ugly. Just four wins in almost 100 years, the latest coming in 1986, the same year Wallabies coach Les Kiss debuted for the North Sydney Bears in the New South Wales Rugby League.
Hello everybody and welcome to live coverage of New Zealand v Australia in the opening match of the 2026 Bledisloe Cup. Kick-off at AucklandâÂÂs Eden Park is scheduled for 7.10pm local time (5.10pm AEDT).
Fans of sporting cliche: are you ready, because the Wallabies have reached âÂÂwhisper it quietlyâ status. ThatâÂÂs right, whisper it quietly, but AustraliaâÂÂs menâÂÂs rugby team might be quite good again. So much so theyâÂÂre a genuine chance of competing at their most unhappy hunting ground, Eden Park, and can now look ahead to next yearâÂÂs World Cup with a sense of excitement, not dread.
For the first time since 2017 the men in gold are enjoying a six-game unbeaten run. Granted, a third of those fixtures have been against Japan - and a below-par Italy offered little resistance â but the most recent matches have featured a two-Test tour of Argentina and a home victory over South Africa.
That outing against the Springboks offered particular cause for optimism. Yes, it wasnâÂÂt Rassie ErasmusâÂÂs first XV, and yes, the chaotic final 15 minutes probably should have ended in a come-from-behind away win, but for an hour the Wallabies played the world champions off the park and were well worth their 42-17 lead.
Following the groundwork laid by Joe Schmidt, Les Kiss is enjoying a rare honeymoon period in the coachâÂÂs box. Schmidt did the donkey work of exposing as many players as possible to Test level, whittling down the contenders to what is now a very talented core squad, most of whom have acquired decent international experience. Aside from the glaring absence of a quality five-eighth there is no reason to suspect this side on the rise cannot continue on an upward trajectory.
But if any venue in international sport is going to bring an ambitious upstart back down to earth itâÂÂs Eden Park. The All Blacks havenâÂÂt lost at their fortress since 1994, 53 Tests ago. The Wallabies havenâÂÂt popped champagne in the away sheds since 1986.
However, this is an injury ravaged New Zealand side, one still figuring out its identity under new coach Dave Rennie, and coming off the back of a bruising four-Test series against the Springboks, one that also included four midweek tour matches in South Africa.
When the weekly World Rugby rankings were released on August 24 todayâÂÂs match-up would have pitted the top-ranked side on the planet against the number eight outsiders. At that time Australia were closer to the USA on the standings than their trans-Tasman rivals. Now itâÂÂs second v sixth, with the Wallabies a rounding error off England in fifth and within touching distance of Ireland in third.
A positive result for the visitors today will return the sport of rugby into one deserving of a backpage lead and fire the starting pistol on a mouthwatering World Cup on home soil. Should they do so, we wonâÂÂt be talking in quiet whispers any longer.
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].