Australia & New Zealand Bledisloe Cup teams 2018
The New Zealand squad for the third Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia has been announced. The Wallabies are yet to announce their squad.
The match will be played on October 27 in Yokohama, Japan, with the All Blacks having already claimed this year’s trophy.
Bledisloe 3 teams
New Zealand squad for Bledisloe 3, Spring Tour
Forwards
Scott Barrett, Dean Coles, Vaea Fifita, Owen Franks, Nathan Harris, Nepo Laulala, Joe Moody, Dalton Papalii, Kieran Read, Brodie Retallick, Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Codie Taylor, Matt Todd, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Patrick Tuipulotu, Ofa Tuungafasi, Samuel Whitelock
Backs
Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Rieko Ioane, Anton Lienert-Brown, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, Waisake Naholo, TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Ben Smith, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Sonny Bill Williams
The All Blacks have welcomes named one debutant in their squad for the third Test, with Dalton Papalii picked.
New Zealand also have Dean Coles, Joe Moody, Brodie Retallick and Liam Squire to pick from after they overcame injury concerns picked up playing domestic rugby.
Nehe Milner-Skudder has been left out of the squad to take on Australia.
Australia squad for Bledisloe 3
* denotes uncapped
Forwards
Jermaine Ainsley, Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Angus Cottrell*, Jack Dempsey, Folau Fainga’a, Ned Hanigan, Jed Holloway*, Michael Hooper (c), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Pocock, Izack Rodda, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Taniela Tupou
Backs
Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Jake Gordon*, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi, Marika Koroibete, Jack Maddocks, Sefa Naivalu, Nick Phipps
There are three uncapped players in the Australian squad to play Bledisloe 3, with Rebels forward Angus Cottrell and Waratahs duo Jake Gordon and Jed Holloway all a chance to suit up for the Wallabies for the first time in Japan.
Also of note is the inclusion of Jack Dempsey, who’s not been in Australia’s line-up for a year.
Bledisloe 2 teams
| Australia | Number | New Zealand |
| Scott Sio | 1 | Joe Moody |
| Tatafu Polota-Nau | 2 | Codie Taylor |
| Allan Alaalatoa | 3 | Owen Franks |
| Izack Rodda | 4 | Brodie Retallick |
| Adam Coleman | 5 | Samuel Whitelock |
| Lukhan Tui | 6 | Liam Squire |
| Michael Hooper (c) | 7 | Sam Cane |
| David Pocock | 8 | Kieran Read (c) |
| Will Genia | 9 | Aaron Smith |
| Bernard Foley | 10 | Beauden Barrett |
| Marika Koroibete | 11 | Waisake Naholo |
| Kurtley Beale | 12 | Ngani Laumape |
| Reece Hodge | 13 | Jack Goodhue |
| Jack Maddocks | 14 | Ben Smith |
| Dane Haylett-Perry | 15 | Jordie Barrett |
| Reserves | ||
| Folau Fainga’a | 16 | Nathan Harris |
| Tom Robertson | 17 | Karl Tu’inukuafe |
| Sekope Kepu | 18 | Ofa Tuungafasi |
| Rob Simmons | 19 | Scott Barrett |
| Pete Samu | 20 | Ardie Savea |
| Nick Phipps | 21 | TJ Perenara |
| Matt Toomua | 22 | Damian McKenzie |
| Tom Banks | 23 | Anton Leinert-Brown |
| Michael Cheika | Coach | Steve Hansen |
Wallabies
1. Scott Sio, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Izack Rodda, 5. Adam Coleman, 6. Luhkan Tui, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 8. David Pocock, 9. Will Genia, 10. Bernard Foley, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Kurtley Beale, 13. Reece Hodge, 14. Jack Maddocks, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty
Reserves: 16. Folau Fainga’a 17. Tom Robertson, 18. Sekope Kepu, 19. Rob Simmons, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Nick Phipps, 22. Matt Toomua, 23. Tom Banks
In Game 1, Israel Folau injured his ankle and didn’t travel to Auckland with the rest of the squad for Game 2. Further compounding Australia’s injury woes was Taniela Tupou failing to overcome his last-minute hamstring injury, although they did regain Scott Sio at prop.
It was considered likely Folau’s spot for the second Test would be taken by either Jack Maddocks or Tom Banks, but Michael Cheika instead opted to switch Dane Haylett-Petty to fullback and bring Maddocks – who scored on debut in Bledisloe 1 – into the starting XV on the wing.
The Wallabies elected to make another change after failing to control their lineouts and conceding a mountain of scrum penalties during the first game, with Allan Alaalatoa taking Sekope Kepu’s spot in the starting line-up.
All Blacks
1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brodie Rettalick, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Liam Squire, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Kieran Read (c), 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Waisake Naholo, 12. Ngani Laumape, 13. Jack Goodhue, 14. Ben Smith, 15. Jordie Barrett
Reserves: 16. Nathan Harris, 17. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18. Ofa Tuungafasi, 19. Scott Barrett, 20. Ardie Savea, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Damian McKenzie, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown.
The All Blacks aren’t without injury concerns of their own, with both Ryan Crotty (concussion) and Rieko Ioane (hamstring) ruled out of the second Test.
Most people expected All Blacks coach Steve Hansen to swap Anton Lienert-Brown directly for Crotty, but he instead brought Ngani Laumape straight into the starting line-up in a surprise move.
Speculation that Nehe Milner-Skudder would come onto the wing also proved unfounded, with Hansen choosing to give Jordie Barrett a run at fullback and move Ben Smith to the wing.
Wallabies squad
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Adam Coleman, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (c), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Izack Rodda, Pete Samu, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Lukhan Tui, Taniela Tupou.
Backs: Jermaine Ainsley, Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete, Jack Maddocks, Sefanaia Naivalu, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell, Matt Toomua.
All Blacks squad
Forwards: Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris, Liam Coltman, Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Jackson Hemopo, Shannon Frizell, Kieran Read (c), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Luke Whitelock
Backs: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, Jack Goodhue, Sonny Bill Williams, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Jordie Barrett, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith
Bledisloe 1 teams
| Australia | Number | New Zealand |
| Tom Robertson | 1 | Joe Moody |
| Tatafu Polota-Nau | 2 | Codie Taylor |
| Sekope Kepu | 3 | Owen Franks |
| Izack Rodda | 4 | Brodie Retallick |
| Adam Coleman | 5 | Samuel Whitelock |
| Lukhan Tui | 6 | Liam Squire |
| Michael Hooper (c) | 7 | Sam Cane |
| David Pocock | 8 | Kieran Read (c) |
| Will Genia | 9 | Aaron Smith |
| Bernard Foley | 10 | Beauden Barrett |
| Marika Koroibete | 11 | Rieko Ioane |
| Kurtley Beale | 12 | Ryan Crotty |
| Reece Hodge | 13 | Jack Goodhue |
| Dane Haylett-Perry | 14 | Waisake Naholo |
| Israel Folau | 15 | Ben Smith |
| Reserves | ||
| Tolu Latu | 16 | Nathan Harris |
| Allan Alaalatoa | 17 | Karl Tu’inukuafe |
| Jermaine Ainsley | 18 | Ofa Tuungafasi |
| Rob Simmons | 19 | Scott Barrett |
| Pete Samu | 20 | Ardie Savea |
| Nick Phipps | 21 | TJ Perenara |
| Matt Toomua | 22 | Damian McKenzie |
| Jack Maddocks | 23 | Anton Leinert-Brown |
| Michael Cheika | Coach | Steve Hansen |
Australia
1. Tom Robertson, 2. Tatafu Polota-Nau, 3. Sekope Kepu, 4. Izack Rodda, 5. Adam Coleman, 6. Luhkan Tui, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 8. David Pocock, 9. Will Genia, 10. Bernard Foley, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Kurtley Beale, 13. Reece Hodge, 14. Dane Haylett-Petty, 15. Israel Folau
Reserves: 16. Tolu Latu, 17. Allan Alaalatoa, 18. Jermaine Ainsley, 19. Rob Simmons, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Nick Phipps, 22. Matt Toomua, 23. Jack Maddocks
Update: Taniela Tupou was a late out for the Wallabies, replaced by debutant Jermaine Ainsley after suffering a hamstring injury during the captain’s run.
Australia’s team, while not completely full-strength, was about as expected. Injuries to Scott Sio, Tevita Kuridrani and Samu Kerevi forced Michael Cheika to make some changes, and that’s what he did.
Tom Robertson was the man billed with filling Sio’s boots, while Reece Hodge had the unenviable task of lining up as Australia’s third choice outside centre.
The forced line-up changes meant Jack Maddocks had the chance to make his international debut on the bench, while Matt Toomua also walked straight into the side (albeit, also on the bench) following his return from overseas.
Michael Hooper, while never in serious doubt, officially overcome his hamstring concern to be named. Tatafu Polota-Nau held off Tolu Latu (named on the bench) and Brandon Paenga-Amosa (not named) for the starting hooker spot – despite the latter starting all three Tests against Ireland.
Similarly, Nick Phipps held off the likes of Joe Powell and Jake Gordon in the backup scrumhalf role.
The rest of the backs, however, lined up pretty much as fans predicted.
New Zealand
1. Joe Moody, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Owen Franks, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Liam Squire, 7. Sam Cane, 8. Kieran Read (c), 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. Ryan Crotty, 13. Jack Goodhue, 14. Waisake Naholo, 15. Ben Smith.
Reserves: 16. Nathan Harris, 17. Karl Tu’unikuafe, 18. Ofa Tuungafasi, 19. Scott Barrett, 20. Ardie Savea, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Damian McKenzie, 23. Anton Lienert-Brown
Despite coach Steve Hansen’s bizarre claim his team was the underdog coming into the first Test, the Kiwi coach named a full strength team.
With Ben Smith at fullback, Beauden Barrett at flyhalf and Kieren Read at No. 8 – it was clear the All Blacks were not messing around one bit as they aimed to take the Bledisloe home for the 16th straight year.
The recall of Dane Coles didn’t create the controversy at hooker that many expected, with Codie Taylor strengthening his grip on the All Blacks’ preferred hooker role.
The only real surprises were Jack Goodhue lining up at outside centre in just his second Test, relegating Anton Lienert-Brown to the bench, and Sonny Bill Williams not being fully recovered from his earlier knee surgery.
Squads
Australia 28-man squad for Bledisloe Cup
Forwards: Allan Alaalatoa, Adam Coleman, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper (c), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, David Pocock, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson, Izack Rodda, Pete Samu, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, Lukhan Tui, Taniela Tupou.
Backs: Tom Banks, Kurtley Beale, Israel Folau, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Marika Koroibete, Jack Maddocks, Nick Phipps, Joe Powell, Matt Toomua.
New Zealand 33-man squad for Bledisloe Cup
Forwards: Dane Coles, Codie Taylor, Nathan Harris, Liam Coltman, Owen Franks, Joe Moody, Tim Perry, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Scott Barrett, Brodie Retallick, Sam Whitelock, Sam Cane, Jackson Hemopo, Shannon Frizell, Kieran Read (c), Ardie Savea, Liam Squire, Luke Whitelock
Backs: TJ Perenara, Aaron Smith, Te Toiroa Tahuriorangi, Beauden Barrett, Damian McKenzie, Richie Mo’unga, Ryan Crotty, Jack Goodhue, Sonny Bill Williams, Anton Lienert-Brown, Ngani Laumape, Jordie Barrett, Rieko Ioane, Nehe Milner-Skudder, Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith
All Blacks Aaron and Ben Smith. (Photo by Anthony Au-Yeung/Getty Images)
2017 Bledisloe Cup teams
Teams for Bledisloe 3
Australia prevented a 3-0 sweep with a 23-18 win in the third Test. The teams that took to the field are as below.
| Australia | New Zealand | |
| Scott Sio (38 Tests) | 1 | Kane Hames (5) |
| Tatafu Polota-Nau (77 Tests) | 2 | Dane Coles (54) |
| Sekope Kepu (86 Tests) | 3 | Nepo Laulala (9) |
| Rob Simmons (77 Tests) | 4 | Samuel Whitelock (92) |
| Adam Coleman (17 Tests) | 5 | Scott Barrett (13) |
| Jack Dempsey (5 Tests) | 6 | Liam Squire (12) |
| Michael Hooper (c) (74 Tests) | 7 | Sam Cane (49) |
| Sean McMahon (21 Tests) | 8 | Kieran Read (106) – Captain |
| Will Genia (vc) (84 Tests) | 9 | Aaron Smith (67) |
| Bernard Foley (vc) (51 Tests) | 10 | Lima Sopoaga (12) |
| Reece Hodge (19 Tests) | 11 | Rieko Ioane (9) |
| Kurtley Beale (66 Tests) | 12 | Sonny Bill Williams (42) |
| Tevita Kuridrani (53 Tests) | 13 | Ryan Crotty (31) |
| Marika Koroibete (3 Tests) | 14 | Waisake Naholo (14) |
| Israel Folau (61 Tests) | 15 | Damian McKenzie (8) |
| Reserves | ||
| Stephen Moore (124 Tests) | 16 | Codie Taylor (25) |
| Tom Robertson (14 Tests) | 17 | Wyatt Crockett (67) |
| Allan Alaalatoa (18 Tests) | 18 | Ofa Tu’ungafasi (10) |
| Lukhan Tui (2 Tests) | 19 | Patrick Tuipulotu (14) |
| Ned Hanigan (8 Tests) | 20 | Matt Todd (10) |
| Nick Phipps (57 Tests) | 21 | TJ Perenara (38) |
| Samu Kerevi (13 Tests) | 22 | Anton Lienert-Brown (18) |
| Henry Speight (17 Tests) | 23 | David Havili (2) |
| Michael Cheika | Coach | Steve Hansen |
Teams for Bledisloe 2
The All Blacks won the second Test 35-29, despite the Wallabies leading for much of the night. The teams that took to the field are as below.
| Australia | New Zealand | |
| Scott Sio | 1 | Joe Moody |
| Stephen Moore | 2 | Dane Coles |
| Allan Alaalatoa | 3 | Nepo Laulala |
| Rob Simmons | 4 | Brodie Retallick |
| Rory Arnold | 5 | Samuel Whitelock |
| Ned Hanigan | 6 | Liam Squire |
| Michael Hooper (c) | 7 | Sam Cane |
| Sean McMahon | 8 | Kieran Read (c) |
| Will Genia | 9 | Aaron Smith |
| Bernard Foley | 10 | Beauden Barrett |
| Henry Speight | 11 | Rieko Ioane |
| Kurtley Beale | 12 | Sonny Bill Williams |
| Tevita Kuridrani | 13 | Ryan Crotty |
| Dane Haylett-Perry | 14 | Ben Smith |
| Israel Folau | 15 | Damian McKenzie |
| Tatafu Polota-Nau | 16 | Codie Taylor |
| Tom Robertson | 17 | Kane Hames |
| Sekope Kepu | 18 | Ofa Tu’ungafasi |
| Izack Rodda | 19 | Scott Barrett |
| Lopeti Timani | 20 | Ardie Savea |
| Nick Phipps | 21 | TJ Perenara |
| Reece Hodge | 22 | Lima Sopoaga |
| Curtis Rona | 23 | Anton Lienert-Brown |
| Michael Cheika | Coach | Steve Hansen |
Teams for Bledisloe 1
The Wallabies were defeated 34-54 at ANZ Stadium, Sydney, in the first Bledisloe Test on Saturday August 19. The teams that took to the field are as below.
| Australia | New Zealand | |
| Scott Sio | 1 | Joe Moody |
| Stephen Moore | 2 | Codie Taylor |
| Allan Alaalatoa | 3 | Owen Franks |
| Rory Arnold | 4 | Brodie Retallick |
| Adam Coleman | 5 | Samuel Whitelock |
| Ned Hanigan | 6 | Liam Squire |
| Michael Hooper (c) | 7 | Sam Cane |
| Sean McMahon | 8 | Kieran Read (c) |
| Will Genia | 9 | Aaron Smith |
| Bernard Foley | 10 | Beauden Barrett |
| Curtis Rona | 11 | Rieko Ioane |
| Kurtley Beale | 12 | Sonny Bill Williams |
| Samu Kerevi | 13 | Ryan Crotty |
| Henry Speight | 14 | Ben Smith |
| Israel Folau | 15 | Damian McKenzie |
| Tatafu Polota-Nau | 16 | Nathan Harris |
| Tom Robertson | 17 | Wyatt Crockett |
| Sekope Kepu | 18 | Ofa Tu’ungafasi |
| Rob Simmons | 19 | Luke Romano |
| Lopeti Timani | 20 | Ardie Savea |
| Nick Phipps | 21 | TJ Perenara |
| Reece Hodge | 22 | Lima Sopoaga |
| Tevita Kuridrani | 23 | Anton Lienert-Brown |
| Michael Cheika | Coach | Steve Hansen |
(AAP Image/SNPA, Dianne Manson)