Barrett at fullback as All Blacks make 4 changes for the 1st Bledisloe Cup test

Associated Press

Wed, 18 Sept 2024, 10:53 pm·3-min read

New Zealand's Scott Barrett, left, tackles South Africa's Ox Nche during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)

Argentina's Los Pumas Joaquin Oviedo runs with the ball to score a try against Australia during a rugby championship test match in Santa Fe, Argentina, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mateo Occhi)

New Zealand's Codie Taylor, makes off with the ball during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)

Australia's Ben Donaldson, center, is tackled by Argentina's Los Pumas Juan Martin Gonzalez during a rugby championship test match in Santa Fe, Argentina, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mateo Occhi)

Argentina's Los Pumas Juan Cruz Mallia, center, is tackled by Australia's Marika Koroibete, second right, during a rugby championship test match in Santa Fe, Argentina, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mateo Occhi)

New Zealand's Cortez Ratima, left, and South Africa's Grant Williams, center, go for possession of the ball during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium, South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht))

New Zealand's Caleb Clarke runs to score a try during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Ellis Park stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa, Saturday, Aug. 31, 2024. (AP Photo/Themba Hadebe)

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Fullback Beauden Barrett will return to the starting 15 in the All Blacks team that will play Australia in the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney on Saturday.

Barrett was named on the bench for the second test against South Africa in Cape Town two weeks ago as head coach Scott Robertson tried to add experience to solve New Zealand's problem with closing out matches.

The move was unsuccessful as the Springboks rallied to win the match 18-12 after also coming from behind to win the first test 31-27.

Barrett's return forces Will Jordan, who started at fullback in Cape Town, to return to the right wing.

In the other change to the All Blacks lineup, Ethan de Groot returns from injury at looshead prop, forcing Tamaiti Williams to the bench and Caleb Clarke is named on the left wing after overcoming a back injury.

Scrumhalf T.J. Perenara who also was named on the bench for the second Springboks test remains among the reserves as Cortez Ratima retains the starting role in his sixth test.

“We have selected an experienced team which has combinations that have played some of our best rugby this season," Robertson said. “The Bledisloe Cup is so revered by both of these teams, we are expecting a classic showdown against our Australian rivals.

"We have acknowledged the rich history of the Cup this week as a team and recognize that history does not bestow any rights. The Bledisloe Cup is always hard-earned and each year is its own chapter in the Bledisloe story.”

The All Blacks have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003.

There will be heavy pressure on both teams in Saturday's test as they share 1-3 records in this season's Rugby Championship. The All Blacks had a win and a loss against Argentina in New Zealand then lost twice to the world champion Springboks in South Africa.

Australia lost two home tests against South Africa and won their first test in Argentina before losing last weekend's second test 67-27 after leading 20-3 in the 40th minute. It was the most points the Wallabies have ever conceded in a test match.

Meanwhile, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has resisted wholesale changes to the team so heavily beaten by Argentina. The New Zealand-born coach has recalled center Hunter Paisami and scrumhalf Nic White to his starting lineup, naming a new halves partnership as flyhalf Noah Lolesio also returns from injury.

Paisami and White both missed the Argentina tests and are named for the first time since the Springboks matches.

Backrower Fraser McReight will make his first Rugby Championship appearance of the season after recovering from a broken finger. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto returns from a shoulder injury to take his place on the bench and Tom Wright was named at fullback.

Prop James Slipper will come off the bench to break George Gregan's record for most test appearances for Australia in his 140th test.

“The players have reconnected well this week for our last game on home soil this year,” Schmidt said. ”We’ve acknowledged the poor finish to our time in Argentina and we’re keen to turn that around on what will be a particularly special day for James and his family.”

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Australia: Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Nic White; Harry Wilson (captain), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost, Taniela Tupou, Matt Faesller, Angus Bell. Reserves: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Allan Ala'alatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch.

New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi, Tupou Vaa'i, Scott Barrett (captain), Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Sam Darry, Luke Jacobson, T.J. Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sevu Reece.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby