Australia’s record in Auckland is ugly but the stakes this weekend could be even higher for the home team who are on a three-match losing streak
Eden Park against the All Blacks. It is perhaps the most formidable challenge in rugby union. The last time the home side lost was in 1994, before the pride of New Zealand began their unbeaten run at Auckland’s famous venue. It now stands at 53 Tests.
Australia’s record there is ugly. Just four wins in almost 100 years, the latest coming in 1986, the same year Wallabies coach Les Kiss debuted for the North Sydney Bears in the New South Wales Rugby League.
“Eden Park’s a bloody cool stadium to play at,” Kiss said, with the optimism that has marked his early months with the Wallabies. “It’s got its own sense of atmosphere, that really can envelope you and it can suffocate you if you’re not ready.”
The coach has retained his starting line-up from the victory over the Springboks in Perth two weeks ago, with one exception. Suspended inside centre Hunter Paisami has been replaced by Isaac Henry.
The decision to keep Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the wing rather than move him back into the midfield is a statement of intent by Kiss. “We just wanted to persist with that continuity of that back three and see how that can go for another week for sure,” he said.
“We know the aerial game is pretty important and both Max [Jorgensen] and Joseph did very well last week [against South Africa]. I have no doubt it’s going to be important again, so fingers crossed that works.”
The All Blacks are stewing after an opening victory in their series against the Springboks made way for a 3-1 series defeat. The last time the team lost four matches in a row was in 1998.
Injury has forced them into a playmaking reshuffle. The season of fly half Ruben Love is over due to ankle surgery, and Richie Mo’unga withdrew this week with a calf complaint. Fullback Damian McKenzie has shifted to No 10, prompting a return for veteran Beauden Barrett at 15.
Kiss had only praise for McKenzie and Barrett, who have more than 200 combined caps. “Beauden is going to be very important for them in a lot of respects in terms of leadership and being what I would say the main kicking option, other than Damian, to be able to manage the game from there as well,” he said. “It’s a good team.”
The All Blacks are coached by Dave Rennie, who was sacked as Wallabies coach in 2022 to make way for Eddie Jones. The New Zealander took on the role this year after spending three years coaching Kobe in Japan, but ahead of his first match against his former side he played down any personal grudge against Rugby Australia. “I’ve got no regrets, got to work with some really good people, people I have a lot of time for,” he said,” he said. “We’re highly motivated, but it’s not about me.”
He did, however, recognise what is at stake for the All Blacks. The unbeaten run at Eden Park, as well as their 23-year hold on the Bledisloe Cup, have been discussed internally this week. “No one wants to be part of the first team for a long time to lose at Eden Park, or lose the Bledisloe,” he said. “I think if we don’t discuss it, some guys will be still mulling over that on game day.”
Captain Ardie Savea is out injured, but Rennie is able to call on centre Quinn Tupaea, who has recovered from the knee problem that forced him to miss the match against the Springboks in Baltimore.
Kiss described Tupaea as the “best centre all year”, and highlighted the challenge of the All Blacks in various facets of the game, including their aerial ability, physicality and comfort in broken play. “We’re going to have to be all the things that you say about the game, and then you have to then try and win those fine moments,” Kiss said.
“That’s what I do think the All Blacks are great at: they win those ‘between’ moments so well and very often, so we’re going to have to be very good for those small moments and those small margins.”
The Wallabies have returned to the more traditional make up of five forwards-three backs on their bench, after the 6-2 split Kiss had adopted for the Springboks. It means five-eighth Declan Meredith will likely be given minutes to challenge starter Ben Donaldson, who is yet to make the No 10 jersey his.
“We know that Donno [Donaldson] can play 80 [minutes] and he does it regularly for the Force,” Kiss said. “But going back to a 5-3 [bench split], I’m always pretty keen to have a second 10 there, and both our 10s can also cover 15 as well, which is handy.”
Australia will need to win both Saturday’s match in Auckland, and the return in Sydney the following week, to reclaim the Bledisloe Cup.
New Zealand rugby union team
