Bledisloe Cup

The Wallabies are due to play the All Blacks in two Bledisloe Cup matches in New Zealand.

The Wallabies coach had complained about the lack of preparation time due to quarantine requirements.

Ardern told Morning Report the Director-General of Health Ashley Bloomfield was happy for the team to train together while in quarantine.

Training will be allowed from day three and the full squad from day six.

The annual three-match Bledisloe Cup series is normally contested as part of the southern hemisphere’s Rugby Championship, which also includes South Africa and Argentina.

Melbourne’s Docklands Stadium was due to host a Bledisloe Test for the first time since 2010 as part of a doubleheader involving both countries’ men’s and women’s sides this year.

“Victorians are sticking together as the state works to slow the spread of coronavirus and it’s not possible to play this match in 2020,” RA’s interim chief executive Rob Clarke said in a statement.

He has, however, conceded there is a chance the Wallabies may have to try and snatch the coveted silverware off the All Blacks for the first time since 2003 while playing solely in New Zealand.

A four-match series is expected to be played between the two sides between October and November, with both nations pencilled in to host two matches apiece.

The Sydney Morning Herald reports that the first of the two clashes to be held in Australia would take place on October 10 in either Sydney or Perth, while the second would be held on October 17 in Brisbane.

Interim RA boss Rob Clarke sounded optimistic on Monday that two Bledisloe Cup fixtures, pencilled in for October 10 and October 17 in Australia, could go ahead with some crowds. He also said talks with New Zealand remained positive about the Wallabies going into a hub across the ditch for a Rugby Championship, including South Africa and Argentina, beginning on November 7.

The October 10 test is set to take place in either Sydney or Perth, while the following weekend’s game would be held in Brisbane.

Rugby Australia confirmed the trans-Tasman rivals will play at Marvel Stadium for the first time since 2010, while their female counterparts - the Black Ferns and Wallaroos - will also feature in the doubleheader.

"Our Wallaby and Wallaroo doubleheader events in Australia have been extremely popular with fans in Sydney in Perth," said chief executive Raelene Castle. "And we are looking forward to staging the first ever doubleheader in front of packed Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.

New Zealand bounced back from a record defeat in game one at Perth with a resounding 36-0 victory over the Wallabies in Auckland on Saturday night.

A number of players shone for the All Blacks at Eden Park and Hansen believed that could be viewed in two ways.

"A few people really put their hand up last night and where we had question marks, we no longer have question marks," he said on Sunday.

"In other ways, it makes it a bit tougher, too.

In a potential changing of the guard five weeks out from the Rugby World Cup, coach Steve Hansen has introduced young flyers Sevu Reece and George Bridge to the wing for Saturday's winner-takes-all Test.

Nepo Laulala claims Franks' tighthead berth in one of five starting changes from the team humbled 47-26 by the Wallabies in Perth.

Two changes were forced.

Veteran Sonny Bill Williams returns to the midfield following injury to Jack Goodhue, pushing Anton Lienert-Brown to centre, while fourth-choice lock Patrick Tuipulotu replaces the suspended Scott Barrett.

Slack was the last captain to lead the Wallabies to victory over the All Blacks at Eden Park in 1986 with the win clinching the Bledisloe Cup.

Slack says he wants the same players who trounced New Zealand 47-26 in Perth last weekend rewarded with selection for game two.

Four years ago the Wallabies were in the same scenario after winning their opening Test in Sydney but coach Michael Cheika changed most of his backline.

two members of the forward pack with Australia then losing 41-13.

Forget the fact, for a moment, that the 47-26 thrashing at Optus Stadium on Saturday night means the All Blacks must win in Auckland next week to retain the Bledisloe Cup.

Lock Barrett, who was sent off for ramming his shoulder into the neck of Wallabies captain Michael Hooper in the 40th minute, has ensured the All Blacks will be under the microscope ahead of, and during, the global tournament in Japan.

It's hard enough to defend the Webb Ellis Cup without distractions, and Barrett's moment of madness will do his countrymen no favours ahead of the event in the Far East.

Veterans Nic White, Christian Lealiifano and James O'Connor will suit up against the All Blacks in Perth tonight after long absences, and Hooper says it's stoked the fire to break the 17-year trophy drought.

Inspirational five-eighth Lealiifano hasn't played in a trans-Tasman duel since 2013, and has subsequently battled leukaemia.

Hooper said the Brumbies playmaker would bring a cool head to the cauldron of the clash.