All Blacks vs Wallabies: The changes Dave Rennie could make for the Wallabies at Eden Park
All Blacks v Wallabies – Eden Park, 7.05pm, Saturday
The trio of Ls – loose forwards, lock, left wing – are the pressure points of contention as the All Blacks seek to respond from three successive losses by retaining the Bledisloe Cup at Eden Park this weekend.
There are many ways Dave Rennie could approach this week but after an ultimately underwhelming end to rugby’s greatest rivalry tour, the All Blacks won’t underestimate the Wallabies.
The need to deliver a vastly improved set-piece platform and address ongoing high-ball issues, to tighten their defence and amend discipline, demands that Rennie field his strongest available team.
In a honeymoon phase under new head coach Les Kiss, the Wallabies arrive in Auckland riding five straight wins to breed genuine internal confidence.
Their upset victory against the Springboks in Perth – albeit a Boks side featuring 13 starting changes from the first-choice team – ensures the Wallabies will believe they can defy history to achieve their first win against the All Blacks at Eden Park in four decades.
Set against that backdrop, there’s no room for the All Blacks to experiment.
The Bledisloe may have flown under the radar this year, but the pressure on the All Blacks to perform this week is mounting.
Ardie Savea and Luke Jacobson’s season-ending injuries shine a spotlight on the ever-competitive loose forward ranks.
In their influential absences Rennie could select multiple combinations. There will be an urge to swiftly progress Shannon Frizell’s physical presence back into the blindside duties, but with him working his way back to match fitness – and after three seasons out of the test arena – easing him back from the bench could be the approach this week.
The Wallabies are a contrasting opponent to the Springboks. They will attempt to play with pace, to chase the width, while utilising Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i from the wing to seriously test the All Blacks backfield in the air.
The Wallabies loose forwards featuring Harry Wilson, Fraser McReight and Rob Valetini are among their greatest strengths which dictates a laser focus on the breakdown.
Ethan Blackadder started in Savea’s absence at openside flanker in the All Blacks’ last loss in Baltimore, but if he’s fully fit, Anton Segner should be unleashed to start alongside Peter Lakai.
Segner and Lakai are genuine turnover exponents who could counter McReight’s breakdown prowess.
Tupou Vaa’i, Frizell or Wallace Sititi could start at blindside but in a more open, fast-paced match, the latter could be favoured this week.
A Lakai-Segner-Sititi combination would allow Vaa’i to return to his preferred locking role alongside Fabian Holland, and for Scott Barrett to return from his 10-month absence off the bench.
McKenzie and Jordan will have headaches attempting to mitigate the aerial influence of Sua’ali’i, but the All Blacks left wing spot remains highly contestable.
Leroy Carter is probably the preferred option, largely for his work-rate, but Josh Moorby had the last start against the Boks.
The time is now, though, to hand Fehi Fineanganofo his first test start.
Fineanganofo has battled frequent niggling injury setbacks since emerging off the bench for his All Blacks debut in July. He started against the Lions and Sharks in midweek matches in South Africa – and now with his immediate future sorted after committing to New Zealand rugby through to the end of next year’s World Cup, the All Blacks must give him a genuine opportunity to state his case.
If not now then, when?
The All Blacks know what they will get with Carter and Moorby. They are similar figures who bring highly involved touches on both sides of the field and clinical finishing.
Both, though, had defensive issues against the Boks while defending in the midfield.
Fineanganofo is a strong defender and his ability to beat opponents is compelling. His size and strength advantage would mark up well against Max Jorgensen, too.
Time is running out for Rennie to decipher his first-choice team. He’s not going to learn much more from another Fineanganofo cameo off the bench.
With Caleb Clarke to return from injury next year, and the uncapped Kyren Taumoefolau and Caleb Tangitau waiting in the wings, Fineanganofo needs a chance to start.
Richie Mo’unga is the other focal figure as Ruben Love’s season-ending ankle injury allows him to retain the playmaking reins.
After a subdued return from Japan, Mo’unga will be intent on stamping his mark in his second test start of the Rennie era.
Likely All Blacks team:
Damian McKenzie, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Fehi Fineanganofo, Richie Mo’unga, Cam Roigard, Peter Lakai, Anton Segner, Wallace Sititi, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa’i, Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot.
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Xavier Numia, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Shannon Frizell, Cortez Ratima, Beauden Barrett, Rieko Ioane
Liam Napier is a Senior Sports Journalist and Rugby Correspondent for the New Zealand Herald. He is a co-host of the Rugby Direct podcast.
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