MY ACCOUNT
Back rower Harry Wilson has been recalled by Australia for this weekend’s Rugby Championship finale against New Zealand, as an injury-strewn All Blacks look to take a remarkable crown.
The two teams meet in the Bledisloe Cup just over a week on from the Wallabies’ controversial loss in Melbourne against their rivals from across the Tasman Sea.
With immediate revenge on their minds after a dramatic 39-37 loss, Dave Rennie has recalled Wilson to the fold, shunting Rob Valetini to blindside flanker after Rob Leota’s Achilles injury ruled him out for the rest of the season.
Cadeyrn Neville returns following a knee injury in place of Matt Philip, who sits the clash out with a sternum problem.
New Zealand have been forced to reshuffle the deck, meanwhile, after injuries left captain Sam Cane, Scott Barrett, David Havili and Quinn Tupaea out of the picture for Saturday’s game in Auckland.
Sam Whitelock leads the side in Cane’s absence, while Ardie Savea returns from parental leave, with Tupou Vaa’i, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck and Sevu Reece all included among the replacements.
New Zealand are level on points with South Africa – who host Argentina on Saturday – heading into the final round of matches.
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Richie Mo’unga, Aaron Smith; Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Brodie Retallick, Samuel Whitelock, Akira Ioane, Dalton Papali’i, Ardie Savea.
Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, Ofa Tu’ungafasi, Nepo Laulala, Tupou Vaa’i, Hoskins Sotutu, Finlay Christie, Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, Sevu Reece.
Australia: Andrew Kellaway, Tom Wright, Len Ikitau, Lalakai Foketi, Marika Koroibete, Bernard Foley, Jake Gordon; James Slipper, David Porecki, llan Alaalatoa, Jed Holloway, Cadeyrn Neville, Rob Valetini, Pete Samu, Harry Wilson.
Replacements: Folau Fainga’a, Angus Bell, Pone Fa’amausili, Nick Frost, Fraser McReight, Nic White, Reece Hodge, Jordan Petaia.
