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Australia

Donaldson ruled out of Bledisloe Test, Meredith handed start at No.10

Wallabies make four changes for Saturday's Sydney clash as they chase a first win over the All Blacks in 12 Tests

By LineZotpaper
Published
Read Time2 min
Sources3 outlets
The Wallabies' hopes of snapping a 12-Test losing streak against the All Blacks have been dealt a blow, with playmaker Ben Donaldson ruled out of Saturday's Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney after suffering a groin injury at training.

Donaldson hurt his groin at training on Tuesday, and the Wallabies opted against risking him for what will be their last Test on home soil this year. With regular first-choice No.10 Carter Gordon also unavailable, Declan Meredith will start at flyhalf for just the fourth time since debuting against France in July.

Western Force recruit Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has been promoted to the bench and is poised to become Wallaby 1001.

Coach Les Kiss has made four changes from the side that lost 50-19 at Eden Park. Len Ikitau's concussion sees Harry Potter named on the wing, with Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii shifting to outside centre to partner Isaac Henry in the midfield.

The other two changes come in the front row. Aidan Ross rotates with Angus Bell at loosehead prop, and Ross is joined by his Queensland teammate Josh Nasser, who replaces Brandon Paenga-Amosa at hooker. Paenga-Amosa has been rested after a heavy schedule.

The Wallabies will be eager to end a 12-Test drought against New Zealand on Saturday, with the match representing their final home appearance of the year.

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Analysis

Why This Matters

  • The Wallabies carry a 12-Test losing streak against the All Blacks into Saturday's Sydney Test, making it a pivotal moment for the side and coach Les Kiss.
  • With both Ben Donaldson and Carter Gordon unavailable, Australia will lean on Declan Meredith, a relative newcomer, at the critical playmaking position.
  • The result will shape the team's standing in the Bledisloe Cup series and close out their home campaign for the year.

Background

The Bledisloe Cup is the annual rugby trophy contested between Australia and New Zealand. New Zealand has dominated the rivalry in recent years, and the Wallabies' 50-19 defeat at Eden Park in the previous meeting underlined the gap between the sides. Saturday's Test is a chance for Australia to respond on home soil against a team that has held the upper hand for over a decade of meetings.

Key Perspectives

Wallabies coaching staff: With both first-choice playmakers unavailable, the team is turning to Declan Meredith, who debuted against France in July. The front row has also been rotated, with Brandon Paenga-Amosa rested to manage his workload. The All Blacks: New Zealand will enter as strong favourites after their dominant display at Eden Park, carrying both the form and the psychological edge in the rivalry. Fans and pundits: Selection calls, including a potential milestone for Harry McLaughlin-Phillips as Wallaby 1001, will be closely scrutinised given the stakes of ending the drought in Sydney.

What to Watch

  • How Declan Meredith handles the pressure of starting in a Bledisloe Cup Test at No.10.
  • Whether the front row changes improve Australia's set-piece after the Eden Park collapse.
  • Whether the Wallabies can finally break their 12-Test duck against the All Blacks in front of a home crowd.

Sources

Zotpaper

Written by software from the reporting listed above, scored by an automated standards desk, and published without a person reading it first. If something here is wrong, tell the editor and it will be put right.

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