Australia & New Zealand Bledisloe Cup teams 2018

Both 2018 Bledisloe Cup teams will remain roughly the same for Game 2 of the series, although injuries will force the hand of both coaches.

It comes after the All Blacks won the first game of the series in Sydney 38-13.

Final teams for Game 2 will be named in the days leading up to the game, which is set to be played at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday, August 25.

The third game of the 2018 series will be played on October 27 in Yokohama.

Bledisloe 2 teams

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

Wallabies
In Game 1, Israel Folau injured his ankle and didn’t travel to Auckland with the rest of the squad for Game 2.

It’s likely his spot for the return match in Auckland will be taken by either Jack Maddocks or Tom Banks, with Dane Haylett-Petty or Kurtley Beale also touted as potential candidates to play at the back, which could allow Matt Toomua to be part of the starting 15.

Sefanaia Naivalu has also been called up to the squad by coach Michael Cheika for the trip across the ditch.

The Wallabies own ‘Tongan Thor,’ Taniela Tupou was also ruled out of Game 1 at the last minute, however, expectations are that he will be back in Auckland.

The Wallabies may elect to make other changes for the second game as well after failing to control their line-outs and conceding a mountain of scrum penalties during the first game of the series.

All Blacks
The All Blacks will be without centre Ryan Crotty for the second game of the series back at home after he was knocked out during Game 1, picking up a heavy concussion.

Rieko Ioane is the other player with question marks hanging over him for the second match after he copped a hamstring injury.

There is every chance All Blacks coach Steve Hansen will make a direct swap for Crotty, with Anton Lienert-Brown looming as the most likely option.

On the wing, Nehe Milner-Skudder appears to be the man who will be selected if Hansen goes for a direct swap. The other option is to play Ben Smith on the wing and play Ngani Laumape at the back. Regardless, it’s likely Laumape and Jack Goodhue are the players set to come onto the bench.

Bledisloe 1 teams

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, is 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 is the man billed with filling Sio’s boots, while Reece Hodge has the unenviable task of lining up as Australia’s third choice outside centre.

The forced line-up changes mean Jack Maddocks has the chance to make his international debut on the bench, while Matt Toomua also walks straight into the side (albeit, also on the bench) following his return from overseas.

Michael Hooper, while never in serious doubt, has officially overcome his hamstring concern to be named. Tatafu Polota-Nau has, for now, held off Tolu Latu (named on the bench) and Brandon Paenga-Amosa (not named) for the start hooker spot – despite the latter starting all three Tests against Ireland.

Similarly, Nick Phipps has held off the likes of Joe Powell and Jake Gordon in the backup scrumhalf role.

The rest of the backs, however, line-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 has named a full strength team.

With Ben Smith at fullback, Beauden Barrett at flyhalf and Kieren Read at No. 8 – it’s clear the All Blacks are not messing around one bit as they aim to take the Bledisloe home for the 16th straight year.

The recall of Dane Coles didn’t created the controversy at hooker that many expected, with Codie Taylor strengthening his grip on the All Blacks’ preferred hooker role.

The only real surprises are 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.

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.

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.

(AAP Image/SNPA, Dianne Manson)

Last updated: 20 August, 2018