The All Blacks are set to take on the Wallabies on Saturday in the Bledisloe Cup rugby.
The match at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane was slated to start at 7 p.m. AEST (10 p.m. NZDT, 9 a.m. GMT).
The match will be broadcast on Network Ten in Australia, Prime in New Zealand, and Sky Sports 2 in the U.K.
Live streaming will be available through both broadcasters, as well as SuperSport Stream in South Africa.
The All Blacks are favored to win but the last match in Brisbane, in October 2012, did come to a 18-18 draw--and Australia held New Zealand to a draw in August this year.
“While the All Blacks have already got the Bledisloe Cup safely tucked away in the NZRU trophy cabinet for yet another year, they will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after their 27-25 defeat to South Africa in the Rugby Championship earlier this month,” noted Sky Sports.
“That last-minute loss ended a 22-Test unbeaten streak for the world champions. In response, coach Steve Hansen has rung the changes, with second row Brodie Retallick fit to return after recovering from concussion, while Liam Messam, Wyatt Crockett and Dane Coles will also start for the All Blacks. Messam starts ahead of Jerome Kaino, Crockett comes in for Joe Moody, who made his debut against the Boks, while Coles is chosen ahead of Keven Mealamu.
“There is one change in the backline with Cory Jane coming in on the right wing for Ben Smith, who is rested. But Aaron Cruden remains out of the 23-man squad having been dropped for the last two games of the Rugby Championship after missing a flight to Argentina. There are also changes among the substitutes with Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara and Charles Piutau all joining the squad.”
Australia, meanwhile, is dealing with a turbulent past two weeks, though that may be an understatement.
“A nose dive from 30,000 feet would be more appropriate. After the in-flight spat between Kurtley Beale and former business manager Di Patston, the subsequent revelations of alleged lewd text messages and talk of disharmony between players and coach Ewen McKenzie, most fans would agree it’s been a disaster,” said ESPN.
“Optimists would point to similar cases in which these kinds of dramas have brought teams closer together and ended with triumphant victories against all the odds. Add in the emotion of Adam Ashley-Cooper’s milestone and you have a case that the Wallabies are set for a remarkable victory.
“A case, but not a realistic one. Make no mistake, the All Blacks have been working overtime in the past two weeks to address the shortcomings that resulted in their defeat in Johannesburg and will be intent on putting that result behind them before heading off on their historic tour to the United States.”
Coach Ewen McKenzie has recalled Christian Lealiifano because of Beale’s suspension and Matt Toomau being ruled out due to a concussion. Rob Simmons will return from injury to start as well.
Quade Cooper will come to the bench to add some experience.
Following this match, New Zealand will kick off its tour of the United States on November 1 in Chicago, whiel Australia will kick off its own tour on November 8 in the United Kingdom.
See squads below.
New Zealand: 15 Israel Dagg, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Conrad Smith, 12 Malakai Fekitoa, 11 Julian Savea, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith; 1 Wyatt Crockett, 2, Dane Coles, 3 Owen Franks, 4 Brodie Retallick, 5, Sam Whitelock, 6 Liam Messam, 7 Richie McCaw 8 Kieran Read.
Replacements: 16 Keven Mealamu, 17 Ben Franks, 18 Charlie Faumuina, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Sam Cane, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Colin Slade, 23 Charles Piutau.
Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Adam Ashley-Cooper, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Christian Leali‘ifano, 11 Joe Tomane, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Nick Phipps; 1 James Slipper, 2 Saia Fainga’a, 3 Sekope Kepu, 4 Sam Carter, 5 Rob Simmons, 6 Scott Fardy, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 8 Scott Higginbotham.
Replacements: 16 Josh Mann-Rea, 17 Benn Robinson, 18 Ben Alexander, 19 James Horwill, 20 Matt Hodgson, 21 Nic White, 22 Quade Cooper, 23 Rob Horne.
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