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Home > New Zealand Beat Australia Despite Late Fight Back To Retain Bledisloe Cup

New Zealand Beat Australia Despite Late Fight Back To Retain Bledisloe Cup

James Slipper has been named on the bench ahead of what should be his 140th cap for Australia, making him the country’s most-capped player of all time. In the backs, Hunter Paisami has recovered from the knee injury that sidelined him for the two Tests against Argentina, and he returns to the starting XV alongside fellow centre Len Ikitau. At scrum-half Nic White is handed the start as Jake Gordon drops out of the matchday 23 completely. In the back-row Fraser McReight replaces Carlo Tizzano.

Australia starting XV: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson (c), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Matt Faessler, 1 Angus Bell.

Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 James Slipper, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 20 Langi Gleeson, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Tom Lynagh, 23 Dylan Pietsch.

New Zealand received a timely double injury boost ahead of this game, with Ethan de Groot and Caleb Clarke returning from injury and both are named in the starting XV. Beauden Barrett returns to the starting 15 at fullback after featuring off the bench in Cape Town, which sees Will Jordan move to the right wing.

New Zealand starting XV: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.

Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Sevu Reece.