Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has recalled Harry Wilson, Cadeyrn Neville and Angus Bell for their first games of this year’s Rugby Championship.
The three players were last spotted against England, where Neville suffered a knee injury and Bell a toe injury. Neville will partner Jed Holloway in the second row with Matt Philip missing out altogether. Rennie is expected to confirm Philip has an injury later Thursday.
Wilson will play at No.8 with Rob Valetini switching to No.6 and Pete Samu getting another shot at No.7 after his dynamic performance in Bledisloe I last Thursday. Rob Leota’s season is over after suffering an Achilles rupture in Melbourne.
The front row is unchanged but there is no place for Taniela Tupou, who has had a calf injury, on the bench. Before the opening Bledisloe Cup match, Rennie said he was hopeful of a Tupou return for game two at Eden Park.
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Bell will be on the bench as reserve loosehead with hooker Folau Fainga’a and Pone Fa’amausili the other front row replacements.
Rennie has kept the backline stable with Jake Gordon starting over Nic White again and partnering Bernard Foley in the halves.
Lalakai Foketi, who impressed last week, stays at No.12 ahead of Hunter Paisami with Len Ikitau at 13.
The back three also remains the same with last week’s dual try-scorer Andrew Kellaway selected at fullback with Tom Wright and Marika Koroibete on the wings.
Reece Hodge will be the back up No.10 and should play his 60th Test off the bench.
The Wallabies haven’t won in 22 straight games at Eden Park since 1986.
“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,” Rennie said in a statement.
“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.”
Holloway said: “We just have to lick our wounds at go again. There’s no lack of motivation after last week obviously. It was a great Test match to be a part, awesome being out there but a disappointing ending.
“We’ve had two really solid training days so we’re pumped to get over there and rip in again.”
New Zealand announced six changes to their team on Thursday.
Wallabies team
1. James Slipper (c) (122 Tests)
2. David Porecki (6 Tests)
3. Allan Alaalatoa (59 Tests)
4. Jed Holloway (5 Tests)
5. Cadeyrn Neville (2 Tests)
6. Rob Valetini (26 Tests)
7. Pete Samu (27 Tests)
8. Harry Wilson (11 Tests)
9. Jake Gordon (15 Tests)
10. Bernard Foley (72 Tests)
11. Marika Koroibete (50 Tests)
12. Lalakai Foketi (3 Tests)
13. Len Ikitau (20 Tests)
14. Tom Wright (17 Tests)
15. Andrew Kellaway (17 Tests)
Replacements
16. Folau Fainga’a (32 Tests)
17. Angus Bell (19 Tests)
18. Pone Fa’amausili (2 Tests)
19. Nick Frost (4 Tests)
20. Fraser McReight (7 Tests)
21. Nic White (55 Tests)
22. Reece Hodge (59 Tests)
23. Jordan Petaia (21 Tests)
AussieBob
Roar Rookie
Oh Ferret give it up jog on.
AussieBob
Roar Rookie
You must be getting tired from all the Brumbies bashing. The Reds forwards don't front up against Kiwi super sides or Internationally.
AussieBob
Roar Rookie
Not an argument champ just an observation. Ihe 2021 TRC squad I count 3 Waratahs, Hooper, Bell and Swinton and 5 Reds so looks like your holding the wet dunny paper champ.
Guess
Roar Rookie
Dunno maybe you’re right.. In the game against sa holloway was awful at 6 tho and he isn’t 6 anymore. Seems like Rennie is betting on strong carriers
Short Arm
Roar Rookie
I'm talking about the previous year when he would go missing.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
Wilson is an eight not a six and what he brings to the table from his preferred position outstanding positional play in attack. Valentini is an excellent power runner in tight but does the same thing over and over, he can do that just as well from six and free Wilson up to find the best place to bend and break the line.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
He has had seven starts and one off the bench, pretty good for a young player.
Rhys Bosley
Roar Pro
NL can develop in Super Rugby, he is only 22 years old which is a baby for a fly half and test match rugby isn't the environment to nail down the fundamentals. It is a position where experience matters and both Cooper and Foley are better than him at the moment.
numpty
Roar Rookie
Hunter a harder ball runner then foketi.
mzilikazi
Roar Pro
Not been there, but an aunt by marriage came from up there...never lost her lovely accent !
TJ-Go Force!
Roar Rookie
Finally we pick a team on position, just need Vunivalu on wing for Wright and we have a team.
Keef with a Beef
Guest
You believe wrong
Chris Mckay
Roar Rookie
Not even close. Wilson is a very average player and absolutely not a test level player at this stage. Goes missing in games a lot. Poor work rate at breakdown, rushes out of defensive line and has poor close contact engagement. He runs decent lines but out best 6-8 was last weekends unit.
jammel
Roar Rookie
Would like to see McDermott starting. And anyone than Foley please please please...... :(
jammel
Roar Rookie
Yeah Wallabies with Fraser McR or especially Pete Samu at #7 look miles miles better than any Wallabies side with Hooper there. I can almost start to cheer for the Wallabies again! :)
Doctordbx
Roar Rookie
So is this basically the end of Lolesio at 10?
Geoff
Guest
Tate and Tupou won the game for the Wallabies against the French after the fulltime siren. And kept the series alive. You conveniently forgot that one eh. What game has Gordon won for the Wallabies? i'll wait.but i expect silence from you.
Terry
Guest
Jake has always been slow to rucks. Why cant he rectify this? is he not fit enough?
Tez
Roar Rookie
I have no issues with this team, under the circumstances it is close to the best we can select .... although I do wonder who will call the lineout.
Rod Stewart’s Junk
Roar Rookie
Wilson is a fine player but I’d argue that within this back row Samu has greater offloading, hole running, and general attacking skills than the reds eight man.