Utility back Reece Hodge will fill the Wallabies’ troublesome centre position for Saturday’s Rugby Championship clash with the All Blacks in Sydney. Hodge, who spent much of the season at flyhalf for the Melbourne Rebels, has played virtually every other backline position for the Wallabies and steps in for the injured Samu Kerevi and Tevita Kuridrani.
Wallabies coach Michael Cheika also recalled hooker Tatafu Polota-Nau and utility back Matt Toomua to the side. Both have been playing club rugby in England, with Toomua returning home next season to link with the Rebels.
Cheika was also able to include captain Michael Hooper and wing Dane Haylett-Petty to the starting side after both recovered from long-term injuries. Hooper had been battling a hamstring injury he sustained in the 2-1 series loss to Ireland in June and will link up again with David Pocock in the loose forwards trio.
‘Never underestimate underdogs’: Wallaroos buoyant ahead of women’s rugby Test
To offset the relatively small Hooper and Pocock duo, Cheika has added the hulking Lukhan Tui, who can also play lock, to the side of the scrum as blindside flanker. Outside back Jack Maddocks is the only uncapped player in the 23-man squad and could make his Test debut from the bench.
All Blacks captain Kieran Read and lock Brodie Retallick have returned to the side in what will be Sam Whitelock’s 100th Test for the world champions. Read has not played for the national side since last November due to back surgery, while Retallick has not appeared in an All Blacks shirt since last year’s Rugby Championship.
Retallick missed the end-of-season tour last year for personal reasons then suffered a broken bone in his chest and did not appear in the June series against France. Whitelock, who captained the side in the June series, is the eighth player to attain 100 caps for the All Blacks.
“We want to congratulate Sammy on what will be a very special night for him and his family,” coach Steve Hansen said. “We’re all very proud of him. “He’s been an outstanding contributor to this team for a long time, both on and off the field. To play one Test for the All Blacks is an achievement in itself, but to be good enough to be selected and play 100 Tests is a remarkable feat.”
Centre Jack Goodhue will also play his second Test in partnership with Canterbury Crusaders team mate Ryan Crotty, who slots back into his preferred inside centre role to fill the hole left by the injured Sonny Bill Williams. Beauden Barrett has also been named to start at flyhalf, with Damian McKenzie coming off the bench to cover the pivotal position while Richie Mo’unga has missed the matchday squad.
Mo’unga’s possible selection had been the subject of debate in New Zealand after he helped the Crusaders to their ninth Super Rugby title and outplayed Barrett and Springboks flyhalf Elton Jantjies on successive weeks. Hansen has also rewarded winger Waisake Naholo for his strong form in Super Rugby and opted not to give Jordie Barrett another opportunity at fullback with Ben Smith given the No 15 jersey.
In the women’s game, which kick off before the Bledisloe opener, a New Zealand team boasting world championship star power will aim to keep their unbeaten record against Australia in the first Test.
Ten players who started in last August’s World Cup final in Dublin will run out against the Wallaroos at ANZ Stadium on Saturday. Most of the absentees are unavailable members of the world champion Black Ferns sevens team, including prolific try-scoring winger Portia Woodman, inside centre Kelly Brazier and flanker Sarah Goss.
Also missing with injury is prop Toko Natua, who scored a hat-trick in the 41-32 final triumph against England to seal a fifth world title. The team will be captained again by 52-Test hooker Fiao’o Faamausili, who announced her retirement after the World Cup only to become available again when full contracts were introduced for leading women this year.
Coach Glenn Moore has named five players to make their Black Ferns debut, including starting pair Ruahei Demant at five-eighth and Alena Saili, 19, on the wing. Other key players are reigning world player of the year Kendra Cocksedge at halfback and brilliant attacking fullback Selica Winiata.
Moore said his team are keen to extend their record to 16-0 against the Wallaroos dating back to 1994. “The players are really enjoying being with each other and we’re really humming,” he said. “It’s been more than a year since we’ve played Australia and we can’t wait to get out there.”
New Zealand won last year’s fixture 44-17 in Christchurch. The average scoreline in trans-Tasman Tests since the first in 1994 is 35-7. The first meeting of the teams on Australian since 2008 will be followed by the men’s Bledisloe Cup Test.
Wallabies: Israel Folau, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Kurtley Beale, Marika Koroibete, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, David Pocock, Michael Hooper (captain), Lukhan Tui, Adam Coleman, Izack Rodda, Sekope Kepu, Tatafu Polota-Nau, Tom Robertson. Reserves: Tolu Latu, Allan Alaalatoa, Taniela Tupou, Rob Simmons, Pete Samu, Nick Phipps, Matt Toomua, Jack Maddocks.
All Blacks: Ben Smith, Waisake Naholo, Jack Goodhue, Ryan Crotty, Rieko Ioane, Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith, Kieran Read (captain), Sam Cane, Liam Squire, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Codie Taylor, Joe Moody. Reserves: Nathan Harris, Karl Tu’inukuafe, Ofa Tuungafasi, Scott Barrett, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Damian McKenzie, Anton Lienert-Brown.
Black Ferns: Selica Winiata, Renee Wickliffe, Stacey Waaka, Theresa Fitzpatrick, Alena Saili, Ruahei Demant, Kendra Cocksedge, Aroha Savage, Les Elder, Charmaine McMenamin, Charmaine Smith, Eloise Blackwell, Aldora Itunu, Fiao’o Faamausili (captain), Phillipa Love. Reserves: Te Kura Ngata-Aerengamate, Cristo Tofa, Leilani Perese, Jackie Patea-Fereti, Linda Itunu, Kristina Sue, Krysten Cottrell, Chelsea Alley.