All Blacks rotate tight five and overhaul bench for Bledisloe II in Sydney

New Zealand have named a reshuffled side for the second Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia in Sydney, making three changes to the starting XV and overhauling the bench after injuries disrupted the squad following last week’s 50-19 win in Auckland.

With the Bledisloe Cup already secured for another year, head coach Dave Rennie is chasing a 130th all-time Test win over the Wallabies. The injury toll from the Auckland opener, however, has forced his hand: Leroy Carter (ankle), Anton Segner (concussion) and Asafo Aumua (concussion) are all unavailable.

Josh Moorby comes in on the left wing to replace Carter, while Fabian Holland takes Josh Lord’s place in the second row. Prop George Bower moves into the starting loosehead, with Ethan de Groot given the week off and Xavier Numia shifting to the bench.

The bench has been more extensively remodelled. Samisoni Taukei’aho replaces Aumua at hooker, Du’Plessis Kirifi fills Segner’s reserve loose forward slot, and Cortez Ratima earns a long-awaited recall after being displaced by Kyle Preston during the series opener. Timoci Tavatavanawai also earns a place in the matchday 23, to the satisfaction of Highlanders supporters.

Rennie acknowledged the Wallabies will arrive in Sydney with a point to prove. “Last week was a big week, with it being our first game back on New Zealand soil after a long tour away and the Bledisloe Cup on the line. We put in a performance befitting the occasion; now we need to back that performance up,” he said.

“The Wallabies are a proud side, and they’ll be hurting after last week. It’s a great challenge for us to now face them in front of their home crowd in Sydney.”

Codie Taylor captains the side for the 113th time as Beauden Barrett (146 caps), Jordie Barrett (86) and Will Jordan (62) retain their places in the backline alongside Damian McKenzie and Cam Roigard at half-back.

All Blacks XV: George Bower, Codie Taylor (capt), Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Fabian Holland, Tupou Vaa’i, Peter Lakai, Wallace Sititi, Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Josh Moorby, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Will Jordan, Beauden Barrett.

Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Xavier Numia, Pasilio Tosi, Shannon Frizell, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Cortez Ratima, Timoci Tavatavanawai, Rieko Ioane.

Unavailable: Leroy Carter (ankle), Anton Segner (concussion), Asafo Aumua (concussion), Ethan Blackadder (calf), Richie Mo’unga (calf), Fehi Fineanganofo (hamstring).