Aisle be Back: Bledisloe Cup in Auckland

Delirious All Blacks fans in the stands earlier this year.

• By Kevin McCarthy

It’s so 2026 for everything to be moving at hyper speed. Even the very worthwhile tour of South Africa and Baltimore seems ages ago.

Admittedly some of All Black bodies won’t feel that way, as indeed the injury list will testify.

But time on fast-forward means that suddenly the Wallabies are serious contenders, having nailed the Springboks in their one-off encounter.

Now they head to Eden Park, full of optimism. Now, even the worst Wallaby squads head to Eden Park full of optimism, at the very least, that the Lucky Country will prevail, and in Bledisloe terms, head to a decider on home turf.

Hey, why not? This time could be different. There’s certainly a nicely flesh Springbok pelt tied to their belts, and we know how rare those can be. Then again, South Africa have a knack for saving their worst for the Wallabies in recent years, which is infuriating.

Les Kiss certainly has his side firing, and it breathes welcome life into what has been a bit of a procession in Bledisloes.

There’s been a little gloom around the All Blacks failing to nail a shared series in South Africa. That’s well overegged, however.

Even so, I can’t see the All Blacks, even unable to pick from their full roster, letting this one slip. I do predict the Wallabies will come out firing and send some jitters going by halftime.

But I am really interested to see how the All Blacks attack model goes against a different opponent. Everyone of course will be interested in how those high balls get managed too.

I was surprised to see Scott Barrett straight back into the starting lineup, and no Fabian Holland. No time like the present though to see what the old warhorse can bring into the Rennie game plan.

Talking of warhorses, welcome back Beaudy at 15. In the last few months, it’s felt like we’re watching the long twilight of a legend, with next year’s world cup perhaps not on the horizon. A few injuries later, and here we are –  Beaudy, your country needs you.

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I have no idea how Wellington has imploded at NPC level this year. Others will know, and in an understatement, you can guess that mistakes were made.

In case you have largely watched their season from under a rock somewhere, they went 10 and nil, in the loss/win column. Bottom of the table, and if we still had promotion relegation, facing the mighty Wairarapa Bush next season.

Certainly, next year can’t get any worse. If you are looking for a poster child for how closer integration with a parent Super franchise – or something similar – might be a good idea, expect to see Wellington at the front of the queue.

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All Blacks match-day 23 (Test caps in brackets):

1.Ethan de Groot (45)
2.Codie Taylor (112) – Captain
3.Fletcher Newell (41)
4.Scott Barrett (89)
5.Josh Lord (17)
6.Tupou Vaa’i (51)
7.Peter Lakai (14)
8.Wallace Sititi (23)
9.Cam Roigard (24)
10.Damian McKenzie (81)
11.Leroy Carter (10)
12.Jordie Barrett (85)
13.Quinn Tupaea (29)
14.Will Jordan (61)
15.Beauden Barrett (145)

16.Asafo Aumua (26)
17.George Bower (29)
18.Pasilio Tosi (17)
19.Shannon Frizell (33)
20.Anton Segner (2)
21.Kyle Preston (5)
22.Rieko Ioane (89)
23.Josh Moorby (5)

Unavailable due to injury: Richie Mo’unga (calf); Fehi Fineanganofo (concussion/hamstring).

Horowhenua-Kapiti hooker Codie Taylor will captain the All Blacks in the first Test of the Bledisloe Cup, while Petone’s Peter Lakai is in the starting XV at openside flanker. Avalon hooker Asafo Aumua, Paremata-Plimmerton prop Pasilio Tosi, OBU halfback Kyle Preston and Upper Hutt Rams-capped wing Josh Moorby are on the bench.

The All Blacks and Australia have met 181 times, with New Zealand winning 128, Australia 45 and eight drawn. The All Blacks have won the last 11 Tests between the sides, with Australia’s most recent win coming in 2020.

New Zealand has held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003, and has won 51 Bledisloe Cup series to Australia’s 12, with one drawn.

The two sides have met 34 times at Eden Park, with the All Blacks winning 30 and Australia four. Australia’s most recent win at the ground was 22-9 on 6 September 1986.