BLEDISLOE CUP: SLIPPER TO BECOME MOST-CAPPED WALLABY OF ALL TIME
Wallabies v All Blacks
Kick-off: 5:45pm Saturday 21 September (NZT)
Accor Stadium, Sydney
Live updates on RNZ Sport
James Slipper will become the most-capped Wallaby of all-time when he runs out for his 140th Test at Accor Stadium in Sydney.
Slipper made his debut in 2010 against England and will surpass George Gregan's record on Saturday after being named as the replacement loosehead prop against the All Blacks.
He is one of just three Wallabies to feature in four Rugby World Cups and earlier this year broke the record for the most-capped test prop ever.
Meanwhile, Queensland Reds pair Fraser McReight and Hunter Paisami return to the starting side after fully recovering from injury. The openside flanker is yet to feature in the 2024 Rugby Championship, while Paisami's knee injury kept him out of the tour to Argentina.
Nic White will start at halfback, partnering with Noah Lolesio who returns at first five, while Tom Wright has overcome an ankle complaint to earn his spot at fullback.
Wright's return sees Andrew Kellaway shift back to the right wing, with Marika Koroibete remaining on the left. Len Ikitau pairs up with Paisami in the midfield.
Apart from McReight, the starting forward pack is unchanged from the side that was thumped 67-27 by Argentina a fortnight ago. Angus Bell, Matt Faessler and Taniela Tupou start in the front row, Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams will continue their partnership at lock, with blindside flanker Rob Valetini and skipper Harry Wilson joining McReight as the loose forward trio.
Brandon Paenga-Amosa will pull on the gold jersey for the first time since 2021after returning to Australian Rugby from France earlier this year. He joins Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa in an experienced replacement front row.
Lukhan Salakaia-Loto has also overcome injury to be selected as the substitute second rower, with Langi Gleeson to cover the loose forwards.
Reds duo Tate McDermott and Tom Lynagh are the replacement halves for the second straight test, with Dylan Pietsch rounding out the matchday 23.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt said: "The players have reconnected well this week for our last game on home soil this year.
"We've acknowledged the poor finish to our time in Argentina and we're keen to turn that around on what will be a particularly special day for James and his family."
All Blacks: 1 Ethan de Groot 2 Codie Taylor 3 Tyrel Lomax 4 Scott Barrett (c) 5 Tupou Vaa'i 6 Wallace Sititi 7 Sam Cane 8 Ardie Savea 9 Cortez Ratima 10 Damian McKenzie 11 Caleb Clarke 12 Jordie Barrett 13 Rieko Ioane 14 Will Jordan 15 Beauden Barrett
Bench: 16 Asafo Aumua 17 Tamaiti Williams 18 Pasilio Tosi 19 Sam Darry 20 Luke Jacobson 21 TJ Perenara 22 Anton Lienert-Brown 23 Sevu Reece
Wallabies: 1 Angus Bell 2 Matt Faessler 3 Taniela Tupou 4 Nick Frost 5 Jeremy Williams 6 Rob Valetini 7 Fraser McReight 8 Harry Wilson (c) 9 Nic White 10 Noah Lolesio 11 Marika Koroibete 12 Hunter Paisami 13 Len Ikitau 14 Andrew Kellaway 15 Tom Wright
Bench: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa 17 James Slipper 18 Allan Alaalatoa 19 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto 20 Langi Gleeson 21 Tate McDermott 22 Tom Lynagh 23 Dylan Pietsch
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2024-09-19T05:48:37Z dg43tfdfdgfd