Get Newsletter

Haylett-Petty steps in for Rona

Dane Haylett-Petty returns from a bicep injury and replaces Western Force teammate Curtis Rona on the left wing, while Tevita Kuridrani comes off the reserves bench to oust outside-centre Samu Kerevi.

ADVERTISEMENT

Coach Michael Cheika also brought in experienced lock Rob Simmons into his starting line-up at the expense of Rory Arnold, who drops to the reserves.

The Wallabies were smashed 34-54 in Sydney last weekend with the world champions New Zealand running in eight tries in their highest-ever score against the Australians.

The Wallabies will need to win in Dunedin on Saturday to keep the Bledisloe Cup series alive for a decider in Brisbane on October 21.

Victory for the All Blacks means they will retain the Bledisloe Cup, which they have held since 2003.

New Zealand have only lost once to the Wallabies in 12 encounters in Dunedin.

ADVERTISEMENT

Cheika will confirm his bench after Friday's captain's run with Lopeti Timani bracketed alongside one-Test rookie Jack Dempsey.

Australia: 15 Israel Folau, 14 Dane Haylett-Petty, 13 Tevita Kuridrani, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Henry Speight, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 Sean McMahon, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Rob Simmons, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Stephen Moore, 1 Scott Sio.

Replacements: 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Rory Arnold, 20 Lopeti Timani/Jack Dempsey, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Reece Hodge, 23 Curtis Rona.

Date: Saturday, August 26

Venue: Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin

Kick-off: 19.35 (17.35 Australian Eastern Time; 07.35 GMT)

Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales)

Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England), Andrew Brace (Ireland)

TMO: Rowan Kitt (England)

Agence France-Presse

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Write A Comment