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The All Blacks will be buoyed by the return of captain Scott Barrett and dynamic fullback Will Jordan to the starting side after counting the cost of retaining the Bledisloe with injuries to Beauden Barrett, Ethan de Groot, Tyrel Lomax and Caleb Clarke.
Scott Robertson has made some bold calls in a bid to extend their winning streak over the Wallabies on Saturday, ringing in six changes to the starting XV. The headline inclusion is blockbuster winger Leicester Fainga’anuku, who will play his first test for the All Blacks since the World Cup after a stint in France. His destructive ball-carrying will aim to rattle the Wallabies defence and spark a backline already brimming with attacking threats.
In the forwards, rising star Peter Lakai earns his first test start, replacing Wallace Sititi, who drops back to the bench. The front row also sees a shake-up, with Tamaiti Williams and Fletcher Newell forming a fresh prop combination. Robertson will be banking on their set-piece impact after the Wallabies found some traction at scrum time in Auckland.
Despite locking away the Bledisloe for another year, the All Blacks were pushed to the brink by Australia’s second-half surge. Robertson knows his side must find another gear to silence lingering doubts about his tenure, which remains under heavy scrutiny despite a winning record.
Once again, Damian McKenzie will be called on to steer the ship from flyhalf, after featuring heavily at number 10 last year at the start of Robertson’s All Black tenure. After lighting up Super Rugby for the Chiefs, he’ll be eager to translate that form consistently at test level, having been used as a utility option for much of 2025 under Robertson.
In the midfield, Quinn Tupaea forces his way into the starting 13 jersey after an explosive cameo last week, edging out the defensively-sound Billy Proctor. That means Rieko Ioane stays on the bench for another week, unable to stamp his authority as Robertson’s first-choice outside centre.
With big names returning and fresh faces hungry to impress, the All Blacks will be looking to put on a statement performance in Perth that not only maintains their stranglehold over the Wallabies but also restores the aura fans demand.
New Zealand Starting XV (1-15) Tamaiti Williams, Codie Taylor, Fletcher Newell, Scott Barrett, Tupou Vaa'i, Simon Parker, Ardie Savea, Peter Lakai, Cam Roigard, Damian McKenzie, Leicester Fainga'anuku, Jordie Barrett, Quinn Tupaea, Leroy Carter, Will Jordan
New Zealand Replacements (16-23) Samisoni Taukei'aho, George Bower, Pasilio Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Rieko Ioane, Ruben Love