The Wallabies will call on the experience of fullback Dane Haylett-Petty as they look to match the All Blacks on Saturday and level the Bledisloe Cup series.
Haylett-Petty, who has 37 Test caps, will replace Tom Banks at ANZ Stadium after recovering from a groin strain which ruled him out of the two Tests in New Zealand.
The Melbourne Rebels captain offers a strong running game and a cool head with the All Blacks looking to pile on the pressure to secure the trans-Tasman trophy before the fourth and final Test in Brisbane next month.
Haylett-Petty is also more of a playmaker than Banks, with the Brumbies fullback a casualty of a reshuffled backline as the Wallabies look to cover the loss of Matt Toomua.
Veteran Toomua is expected to miss the entire Bledisloe Cup/Tri Nations campaign after limping off Eden Park during the Wallabies loss with a serious groin injury.
His absence was keenly felt as the Australians collapsed from a 10-7 halftime deficit to lose 27-7.
Toomua was integral to the Wallabies’ 16-16 draw in the opening Test in Wellington.
Wallabies coach Dave Rennie will reveal his third Test line-up at 12.30pm (AEDT) with Irae Simone a possibility to start in Toomua’s No.12 jersey.
It would be the big Brumbies centre’s Test debut.
Simone played in the NZ schoolboys rugby league team and went to school in Auckland with All Blacks centre Jack Goodhue.
Jordan Petaia is set to start at outside centre after coming off the bench in Auckland.
Among other changes, Allan Alaalatoa is tipped to switch with Taniela Tupou and start at tighthead.
Johnny J-Dog
Guest
That is why it is such a shame we don't have Izzy who would own 15 right now and add much to this team if not for Mr Joyce.
Train Without A Station
Roar Guru
They aren't necessarily leaked. Reporters often "speculate" on the team based on the make up on the team during training. If DHP is spending the majority of time at 15, unless somebody is carrying an injury, you can be almost certain he is starting at 15.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Yeah I have no doubt he knew it was just a theoretical. I am more frustrated with the leaks that have occurred around bigger off field things, like in 2018 with the Jake White phone call etc.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
Someone has got to get it to the reporter and that is more my frustration
gazza
Roar Rookie
Maddocks is better than Banks or Haylett-Petty - very long high kick, better at catching high kick, speed, rugby brain.
Tooly
Roar Rookie
A bigger Brumby cull than Matt Keanes snowy massacre.
stillmissit
Roar Guru
I am feeling more confidant with DHP there. Banks has been given opportunities to prove himself at 15 and his inability to run the ball back without doing the shimmy, also his covering defence and positional play has not been up to international standard. I guess we roughly know who's in the team so the announcement won't have the same excitement I was feeling yesterday.
Terry Tavita
Roar Pro
i guess he's the better of 3 less talented fbs..banks and maddocks being the other two..
Terry Tavita
Roar Pro
sounds like some keen reporter is doing his/her job..
Paul D
Roar Rookie
Banks would have known for a few days. Much of this kind of leaking is intentional and the players know it. It's about keeping stories in the papers and generating exposure
BillPosters
Roar Rookie
Can’t argue with you there mate! It seems there’s a mole at the RA headquarters. Leaks re Folau saga, tv deal negotiations, SANZAAR negotiations, the Castle resignation saga and teams seem porous. Though I expect Banks (and others) had a good idea who was in the team before yesterday.
Rhys
Roar Rookie
I am disappointed. Not with these selections, not with Dave or the coaching team. I am disappointed by the fact we are still getting these leaks to the media from RA. The continual leaking of the teams, admin news etc over the last 5 years just makes me so mad. How will Banks be feeling if he read the headlines this morning before the announcement? Maybe I'm petty but the whole admin needs to be weeded out and this leak culture yanked like a rotten tooth, I am sick of seeing it. Rant over. To whoever is selected go hard, rebound from Auckland and make us proud in our first game on home soil.