Barrett back to lead All Blacks in Perth
- Dave Worsley
- Oct 2
- 2 min read
The All Blacks team for the second Bledisloe Cup clash in Perth this Saturday has been confirmed with several injury-forced changes in the side.
In the forwards Captain Scott Barrett returns to the side in the number four jersey, partnering Tupou Vaa’i in the second row while Patrick Tuipulotu returns to the bench.
LATEST HEADLINES:
Peter Lakai is set for his first Test start, at No.8, after four previous appearances off the bench with Wallace Sititi moving into an impact role, while Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell come into the front row
In the backs Damian McKenzie starts at first-five, Leicester Fainga'anuku will play his first Test since the 2023 Rugby World Cup after 18 months with Toulon and will start on the left wing,
Quinn Tupaea starts in the No.13 jersey for the first time. Will Jordan will make his 50th Test appearance in the All Blacks jersey as he runs out on Saturday.
In addition to the changes to the starting XV, there are six changes on the bench for the final round clash in the Rugby Championship and second Bledisloe Cup Test.
Beauden Barett and Ethan de Groot remaining in New Zealand, while Tyrel Lomax (thumb injury) and Caleb Clarke (ankle) will not play this Test. Lomax suffered a broken thumb in the first Bledisloe Cup match at Eden Park.
All Blacks Head Coach Scott Robertson said the team was looking forward to building on the performance at Eden Park, as the Rugby Championship goes down to the wire.
“We saw how competitive and determined the Wallabies were in Auckland last weekend, staying in the fight right to the end. We expect another tough contest this Saturday. We have picked a 23 to go toe-to-toe with a quality Australian team.
“It’s all up for grabs in what has been the most even Rugby Championship we’ve ever seen; and we’re here to cap off this competition with a performance we can be proud of," said Robertson.
The game kicks off at 10.45pm, New Zealand time.
All Blacks: Will Jordan, Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard; Peter Lakai, Ardie Savea, Simon Parker, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett (capt), Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams. Reserves: Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bower, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Rieko Ioane, Ruben Love.
