Bledisloe Cup

Barrett scratched but captain Cane raring to go

Barrett has been ruled out of Sunday afternoon's clash in Wellington with an Achilles injury that flared up at training.

He's been replaced by Damian McKenzie, who comes into fullback from outside the initial match day 23.

Cane, who will lead the team for the first time since becoming the All Blacks new skipper, can't wait for kickoff on Sunday afternoon in Wellington.

Four debutants in Wallabies side

20-year-old Harry Wilson will make his debut in the number six jersey and is joined by fellow Queenslanders Hunter Paisami who will make his debut at outside centre and Filipo Daugunu also earning his first cap on the wing.

Captain Michael Hooper will play his 100th Test, becoming just the 12th Wallaby to reach the milestone.

The front row sees the 96-Test capped James Slipper at loosehead prop alongside hooker Folau Fainga'a, with Taniela Tupou at tighthead.

Wallabies expect All Blacks to name Richie Mo'unga in 10 jersey

There is plenty of selection debate in a number of areas in the All Blacks team ahead of their first Bledisloe Cup test against Australia in Wellington, and the most high profile comes at first receiver, with Beauden Barrett and Richie Mo’unga battling for the role.

Mo’unga was the primary selection at 10 during the 2019 Rugby World Cup with Barrett at fullback, and it would be plausible for selectors to go with the Crusader again following a standout year in another Super Rugby title-winning season.

Young guns set for All Blacks debut as day time test rugby returns

The match has an afternoon kickoff, and brings back memories of the last time a day time Bledisloe Cup clash was held in Wellington.

That fateful day in 2000 is hard to forget for New Zealand fans, with the image of Wallabies captain and lock John Eales kicking the winning penalty to keep the Bledisloe in Australia burnt into many retinas.

All Blacks centurion lock Sam Whitelock remembers it all too well.

Bledisloe Cup matches on Digicel TV & PlayGo App

The first of the Bledisloe Cup Tests will be played this Sunday at 4pm while the second is on Sunday 18th October also at 4pm, in what will be the first afternoon Bledisloe Cup Tests in recent history.

Digicel Tonga, Acting CEO, Ms. Ragigia Dawai, said, “Digicel is delighted to see international rugby return as this is the first Test match since the COVID-19 lockdown and Digicel TV and PlayGo app customers will get to watch the highly anticipated Trans-Tasman clash LIVE, featuring the All Blacks and Wallabies.”

Three All Blacks released from squad ahead of opening Bledisloe Cup test

One-test Tasman prop Tyrel Lomax, uncapped Canterbury utility forward Cullen Grace and uncapped Wellington midfielder Peter Umaga-Jensen have all been given the green light to play in round five of the Mitre 10 Cup.

Subsequently, it’s unlikely any of the trio will be available for the match against the Wallabies, with Grace set to play Manawatu on Friday, Umaga-Jensen expected to face off against Otago on Saturday, and Lomax scheduled to go up against Bay of Plenty on Sunday.

Eden Park keeps Bledisloe Cup test

It means the second Bledisloe Cup test will be played at Eden Park next Sunday, as fans will be allowed to attend.

The test would have been moved to Dunedin if Auckland remained at Alert Level 2.

NZR general manager professional rugby and performance Chris Lendrum says it's great news.

"Auckland fans missed out on both the North v South match last month and the Blues v Crusaders match so this is positive news that they will be able to enjoy Test match rugby,' Lendrum said.

Bledisloe Cup: Veteran prop James Slipper admits Wallabies 'deserve to be underdogs'

Not this time.

A new coach, new staff and 16 uncapped players in Dave Rennie's 44 man squad has left only the bravest of Wallabies fans giving the Australians a hope when the first Bledisloe Cup Test kicks off in Wellington on Sunday.

Some players may take the lack of confidence in the fresh-faced Wallabies personally. Not James Slipper.

He has endured enough defeats at the hands of the All Blacks - 14 in his 96 Tests - to admit the Wallabies "do not have a leg to stand on" when it comes to results when it counts against the Kiwis.

Wallabies confirmed to be based in Christchurch ahead of Bledisloe I

The Chateau on the Park, which overlooks Hagley Park near the central city, will be used as the Wallabies’ base as they prepare for the test against the All Blacks at Sky Stadium on October 11.

A spokesperson for Chateau on the Park confirmed the Wallabies would stay at the picturesque venue. The squad is expected to arrive this week, possibly Friday.

It’s also understood the squad will train at the Linwood club, of which All Blacks first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga is a member, about 8km away from the Chateau on the Park.

All Blacks a step closer to international rugby return

The All Blacks play Australia in two Bledisloe Cup matches in Wellington on October 11th and in Auckland the following week, the first rugby tests since the Six Nations was put on hold in late March due to the pandemic.

The training camp, in Whakatane, is the first opportunity All Blacks coach Ian Foster has had to work with the squad since naming it earlier this month.