RugbyRebels

Test 3 of the Bledisloe Series, and Test 1 of the COVID-edition of the Rugby Championships Tri Nations is on today.

Australia have suffered two significant injuries in their backline - Matt Toomua is out for the season with a groin injury, while James O'Connor joins him on the sidelines with a busted knee, effectively ruling out what was turning into a genuine world-class playmaking duo for the Wallabies. Rennie has been forced to turn to a pair of newbies who, despite playing quite well for the Brumbies this year, may not yet be up to the task.

The Wallabies pack is largely unchanged, but the backline has gone through some big changes. Tupou and Ala'alatoa get swapped, with the lesser Ala'alatoa brother getting the no. 3 jersey, while the YouTube lad rides the pine - probably for the better, to emphasise Tupou's strengths as a player.

In the backline, White and the wingers, Koroibete and Daugunu survive, with Petaia being promoted to the starting XV, with Paisami dropping to the bench. Tom Banks leaves the XXIII entirely, replaced by Dane Haylett-Petty.

On the bench, the replacement forwards are largely intact, other than the aforementioned swap of tighthead forwards. Reece Hodge and Hunter Paisami are joined by Reds halfback Tate McDermott, who may win his first cap.



On the All Blacks end, BIG KARL gets promoted to the starting 1 position - there's something just so right about a North Harbour lad wearing the 1 jersey. Ardie Savea who has just re-joined the squad after paternity leave, is replaced by Hoskins Sotutu at 8. The backline from the Eden Park test remains unchanged.

The bench sees some changes, with Tyrel Lomax coming in at 18, with Laualala given a break. Dalton Papali'i moves in as the replacement loose forward, while Umaga-Jensen and McKenzie are replaced by Ngani Laumape and Rieko Ioane.


Wallabies squad
1. James Slipper
2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa
3. Allan Ala'alatoa
4. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
5. Matt Philip
6. Ned Hanigan
7. Michael Hooper (C)
8. Harry Wilson
9. Nic White
10. Noah Lolesio
11. Marika Koroibete
12. Irae Simone
13. Jordan Petaia
14. Filipo Dauguni
15. Dane Haylett-Petty

16. Jordan Uelese
17. Scott Sio
18. Taniela Tupou
19. Rob Simmons
20. Fraser McReight
21. Tate McDermott
22. Reece Hodge
23. Hunter Paisami


All Blacks squad
1. Karl Tu'inukuafe
2. Dane Coles
3. Ofa Tu'ungafasi
4. Patrick Tuipulotu
5. Sam Whitelock
6. Shannon Frizell
7. Sam Cane (C)
8. Hoskins Sotutu
9. Aaron Smith
10. Richie Mo'unga
11. Caleb Clarke
12. Jack Goodhue
13. Anton Lienert-Brown
14. Jordie Barrett
15. Beauden Barrett

16. Codie Taylor
17. Alex Hodgman
18. Tyrel Lomax
19. Scott Barrett
20. Dalton Papali'i
21. TJ Perenara
22. Ngani Laumape
23. Rieko Ioane

Let's go!

Good start. Jud Arthur played for Otago. Can sing a bit, too.

I see Aussie has imported their anthem singer, like most of their team.

Not a well reffed game so far. First call was tricky but seemed wierd that he was justifying the yellow rather than the lack or a red. Yellow for Barrett is very harsh.

ABs looking ominous anyway.

Cameo wrote:Not a well reffed game so far. First call was tricky but seemed wierd that he was justifying the yellow rather than the lack or a red. Yellow for Barrett is very harsh.

ABs looking ominous anyway.

Home ground call.

Richie Mo's kick to the left was superb.

Can someone explain the rule on Coles' one to me? I'm genuinely unsure. If Coles keeps contact with the ball the whole way until it hits the ground, is that not normally enough?

Hope this Aussie 10 gets a chance to show something in attack. Been stepped a couple of times by Mounga which is understandable but things could escalate!

Cameo wrote:Can someone explain the rule on Coles' one to me? I'm genuinely unsure. If Coles keeps contact with the ball the whole way until it hits the ground, is that not normally enough?

Ruled a knock on before grounding the ball with his torso

Record margin for NZ v Aust (38 points).

I particularly enjoyed that first half.

O'Keefe queefed for the full 80 minutes.

Perenara's passing was absolutely punishing. More so than usual.

S I L K Y S M O O T H Blues skills for Ioane's try. Has to be on the wind up with that placement, though.

Richie-san y u no just get up and do the old dive-and-slide for the hat-trick?

Forwards look to be on an upward trajectory over this series.

I have spoken.

Silvercloud wrote:Hi Guys - not sure who is still here that remembers me? Lizard? Cashead? perhaps? Greetings from Brexit, Covid rife, Britain. Just wanted to say NZ rugby has been a bright light for me during these dark days this year. None more so than today. Delighted ABs have retained the Bledisloe Cup and enjoying seeing our latest batch of young men stepping up to the plate. Take care everyone SC

Hey SC. Shame the ABs switched off a bit in the 2nd half (on instructions maybe?). Still - record margin is nice. Aussie are rebuilding and will get a lot out of this.

Silvercloud wrote:Hi Guys - not sure who is still here that remembers me? Lizard? Cashead? perhaps? Greetings from Brexit, Covid rife, Britain. Just wanted to say NZ rugby has been a bright light for me during these dark days this year. None more so than today. Delighted ABs have retained the Bledisloe Cup and enjoying seeing our latest batch of young men stepping up to the plate. Take care everyone SC

Hey thought id pop back in and say hi also
Great to have such exciting young talent on display too