A wrist injury to Marika Koroibete has handed winger Dylan Pietsch his first Wallabies start, while Jake Gordon returns to the fold as Australia chase a streak-snapping Bledisloe Cup win. Pietsch and Gordon are the two changes to the Wallabies XV tasked with a first win over the All Blacks in New Zealand for 23 years.
Gordon resumes at scrumhalf after Nic White held the role in last Saturday’s tight 31-28 loss in Sydney, while Koroibete’s unavailability opens the door for Pietsch. The veteran winger suffered his ailment during the Bledisloe Cup opener, but was taken to New Zealand as it wasn’t serious enough to rule him out.
“It wasn’t too bad post-game, morning after it was pretty uncomfortable and swelled up on the flight across,” Schmidt said. “We have had it scanned, and there’s no serious damage, but it’s still quite inflamed, quite uncomfortable, and he’s not ready to play.”
Koroibete has been a heart-and-soul player of the national team for several years but has been below his best as Australia slumped to the bottom of the Rugby Championship standings.
Might Schmidt have axed the 32-year-old even if he wasn’t unfit? “That’s a moot question,” Schmidt said. “Some of his handling, I think was compromised a little bit with that wrist during the last game. We’ve got confidence in the squad, and we’re trying to grow the squad and grow the depth, so it’s an opportunity for somebody else to step up and give it their best shot.”
The absence of Koroibete, White and James Slipper, who will also miss out after a head knock in Sydney, means there will be a major experience gulf in Wellington. The starting Wallabies side has 394 Tests between them and just one man – Taniela Tupou – with more than 50 caps.
Gordon will partner Noah Lolesio in the halves while the starting forward pack is unchanged for the first time since last year’s World Cup opener. The 31-year-old’s return means Tate McDermott will again start from the bench. In other changes, Tom Lynagh lost his bench spot to Ben Donaldson while centre Josh Flook will provide extra backline cover.
All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has moved Damian McKenzie on from No 10 as he searches for answers to New Zealand’s scratchy form under his tenure. Beauden Barrett will start from the pivotal position on Saturday although the 130-Test veteran hasn’t started from five-eighth since 2022.
McKenzie had been picked in all eight Tests this year, with Robertson backing in the 29-year-old as a successor to Richie Mo’unga, who is ineligible for selection as he plays his club rugby in Japan. McKenzie instead will start on the bench in Wellington, as one of three changes, all in the backline.
Robertson denied McKenzie had been dropped, saying “he’s had a great season to date”. “We always planned to give Beauden a go,” he said.
Jordie Barrett is out with a knee injury suffered in the Accor Stadium win, while Cortez Ratima has also moved to the reserves. TJ Perenara comes in at No 9 with Anton-Lienert Brown at No 12.
New Zealand will be packed with experience at Sky Stadium, with all but one of the run-on team – blindside flanker Wallace Sititi – with at least 20 Tests.
Both Perenara and former captain Sam Cane, who will earn his 100th cap, are likely to turn out for the All Blacks in New Zealand for the last time. They are both off to play club rugby in Japan next season, making them also ineligible for selection.
“This will be a particularly special night for Sam and TJ and the boys will put in a performance that honours their contribution to this team,” Robertson said.
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“As a Wellington man and the most-capped Hurricane of all time, we know that TJ is a crowd favourite in the capital and we look forward to him expressing himself on the field in front of friends and whanau at home.”
Wallabies XV for second Test
Angus Bell, Matt Faessler, Taniela Tupou, Nick Frost, Jeremy Williams, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Harry Wilson (c), Jake Gordon, Noah Lolesio, Dylan Pietsch, Hunter Paisami, Len Ikitau, Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright.
Reserves: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Ben Donaldson, Josh Flook.
All Blacks XV for second Test
Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett (c), Tupou Vaa’i, Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan.
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Jacobson, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, David Havili.
