For the first time in 2024, the All Blacks will have a new No.10. With the Bledisloe Cup wrapped, Scott Robertson has restored the former Hurricanes halves partners Beauden Barrett and TJ Perenara.
Damian McKenzie will come off the bench with Barrett returning to the No.10 jersey for the first time in almost two years.
Barrett missed the 31-28 win in Sydney because of sickness.
Without his cool head on the field, McKenzie had a roller-coaster ride calling the shots helping the All Blacks race out to a massive 21-0 lead after 15 minutes before blowing several chances over the final 50 minutes. His inability to make the final pass almost came back to bite the All Blacks, who managed to hold off a fast-finishing Wallabies side.
“He’s started every game until now,” Robertson told reporters when asked about McKenzie’s shift to the bench.
“He’s showed some great form and we’ve got to give guys opportunities and build depth in our team.
It’s a nice chance for Beauden to play outside TJ. They’ve got a combination, they’ve played a lot of games together and they’ve played a lot of games together at the Cake Tin, so it lines up nicely.”
Asked what his message to McKenzie would be, Razor replied: “He’s had a great season to date. There’s areas of his game where he can get better (but) come on and be DMac.
“He can play. He’s created a lot for us. He can wave a wand and take a gap. Also, come on and game manage what we need to do to finish the match.”
Beauden Barrett will partner TJ Perenara in the halves to take on the Wallabies in Wellington in the second Bledisloe Test. (Photo by Hannah Peters/Getty Images)
In total there are two changes to the side, with Anton Lienert-Brown promoted from the bench to fill the void left by the injured Jordie Barrett. David Havili, the versatile Crusaders back, has been brought onto the bench as cover.
He’s not the only experienced player returning, with Blues captain and veteran second-rower Patrick Tuipulotu replacing Sam Darry.
“He’s fit. It’s good to have him in – 45 Tests, experienced, just what you need,” said Robertson.
“A wily old fox to come on and has experience coming off the bench, starting, being in different environments. People trust him and he’s just what we need.
“Despite the All Blacks wrapping up the Bledisloe Cup for another year, Robertson has resisted making wholesale for the return bout.”
The perennial Super Rugby-winning coach had been criticised for his conservative approach by sticking to the tried and tested, but Robertson has kept faith with his experienced side and decided to let a couple of long-serving All Blacks bow out as starters.
Although Perenara’s return makes sense given Wellington is his home ground and Barrett his long-time halves partner, few would have thought he would have started a month ago after his struggles against England. Cortez Ratima was also one of the All Blacks’ best in Sydney but his combination with McKenzie will be called on in the second half.
Sam Cane, too, has been given the chance to farewell his New Zealand fans after being kept in the No.7 jersey in what will be his 100th Test.
Despite Dalton Papali’i being fit, Robertson has stuck with the same back-row from Sydney with Luke Jacobson once again selected on the bench.
Sam Cane will play his 100th Test for the All Blacks in what shapes as his last international at home. (Photo by Joe Allison/Getty Images)
Both Cane and Perenara, who featured in the 2015 World Cup winning All Blacks side, will head to Japan at year’s end. It’s not known whether they will go on the end of year Spring Tour.
“This will be a particularly special night for Sam and TJ and the boys will put in a performance that honours their contribution to this team,” Robertson said.
“Sam will be joining an exclusive club of All Black centurions, which is testament to his fortitude and work ethic.
“As a Wellington man and the most-capped Hurricane of all time, we know that TJ is a crowd favourite in the capital and we look forward to him expressing himself on the field in front of friends and whānau at home.”
“Damian McKenzie can provide experienced cover at both first five and fullback, as Beauden has previously, and it is great to bring David Havili in to complete the 23, providing strong depth across the back line. We are excited about the opportunity this week to put in a complete performance against the Wallabies in Wellington.”
Extraordinarily, the All Blacks are winless in Wellington in their past five Tests, having lost to the British and Irish Lions (2017), Ireland (2022) and Argentina (2024) as well as draws to the Springboks (2018) and Wallabies (2020).
All Blacks: Ethan de Groot, Codie Taylor, Tyrel Lomax, Scott Barrett (c), Tupou Vaa’i, Wallace Sititi, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Beauden Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Anton Lienert-Brown, Rieko Ioane, Sevu Reece, Will Jordan
Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Luke Jacobson, Cortez Ratima, Damian McKenzie, David Havili
