Wallabies team named for Rugby Championship Test vs All Blacks
2 min readFan favourite Harry Wilson has earned a rare Wallabies start at No.8 for Saturday’s Rugby Championship finale against the All Blacks at Eden Park.
Wilson has been a regular standout for the Reds in Super Rugby but is yet to fully win over Australia coach Dave Rennie and his selectors.
The strong ball carrier gets an opportunity in Auckland due to Rob Leota’s ruptured Achilles tendon in last week’s heartbreaking loss in Melbourne.
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Rob Valetini moves to blindside flanker to accommodate Wilson is his best position while Cadeyrn Neville replaces suspended lock Darcy Swain.
The starting backline is unchanged while the fit-again Angus Bell and Nick Frost will offer youthful exuberance and athleticism from the bench.
The Wallabies have not beaten the All Blacks at Eden Park since 1986 as competition leaders New Zealand look to defend their championship trophy.
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« It’s great to have Cadeyrn available and Harry’s been working really hard to earn another opportunity in the gold jersey, so we’re excited for both of them, » Rennie said.
« The side parked the disappointment of the last Test early in the week and we have plenty to play for in Auckland on Saturday night.
« New Zealand supporters have an expectation that the All Blacks win at Eden Park and we’re excited to get another crack at them at their spiritual home. »
Sean Maloney and Andrew Mehrtens are joined by Morgan Turinui and Bernard Foley to discuss the highly controversial Bledisloe Cup clash from Melbourne
WALLABIES (15-1): Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Lalakai Foketi, Marika Koroibete, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon, Harry Wilson, Pete Samu, Rob Valetini, Cadeyrn Neville, Jed Holloway, Allan Alaalatoa, Dave Porecki, James Slipper (c)
Reserves: Folau Fainga’a, Angus Bell, Pone Fa’amausili, Nick Frost, Fraser McReight, Nic White, Reece Hodge, Jordan Petaia
ALL BLACKS (15-1): Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith, Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali’i, Akira Ioane, Sam Whitelock (c), Brodie Retallick, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot
Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Sevu Reece
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