Live: Wallabies desperate to end 40-year hoodoo against All Blacks

The Wallabies, under Joe Schmidt and Les Kiss, have won five of their eight Tests this year.

Here’s there results so far:

• vs Ireland in Sydney — 33-31 LOSS

• vs France in Brisbane — 42-26 LOSS

• vs Italy in Perth — 57-10 WIN

• vs Japan in Osaka — 35-32 WIN

• vs Japan in Townsville — 56-17 WIN

• vs Argentina in Jujuy — 27-21 WIN

• vs Argentina in Mendoza —28-28 DRAW

• vs South Africa in Perth — 42-38 WIN

It’s been a talking point in the build-up to tonight’s encounter.

But the Wallabies and All Blacks coach Dave Rennie only had kind words to exchange this week.

It’s not surprising, given Rennie was held in high regard by his Wallabies players when he was in charge.

You’re not alone Marlon!

As mentioned, it’s been 40 years since the Wallabies tasted success against the All Blacks at Eden Park.

Here’s a few thoughts ahead of tonight’s Test:

For those old enough, who can remember the last time the Wallabies beat the All Blacks at Eden Park in 1986?

Moments that stick out for me (yes, I’m that old) include:

• Andrew Leeds scoring a try on debut, with legendary ABC Sport commentator Gordon Bray saying: “I think his father has just gone through the roof, his mother has just dropped her knitting!”
• Topo Rodríguez stopping an All Blacks try, when he picked up Hika Reid and drove him into the turf only a metre out from the Wallabies line
• David Campese slicing through the All Blacks’ defence to ice what would be a 22-9 victory
• Andrew Slack being presented the Bledisloe Cip while wearing an All Blacks jersey

What a day for Aussie rugby!

With Ruben Love and Richie Mo’unga sidelined, the All Blacks named Damian McKenzie at fly half.

McKenzie shifts from fullback to fly half, allowing Beauden Barrett to start at 15.

It’s an indication of the enormous depth All Blacks coach Dave Rennie has at his disposal.

All three Barrett brothers will start against the Wallabies, with ex-captain Scott named at lock and Jordie slotting in the backline at inside centre.

The All Blacks were forced to make changes elsewhere as they play for the first time since losing 3-1 to the Springboks in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

The All Blacks’ 23 is as follows:

15. Beauden Barrett

14. Will Jordan

13. Quinn Tupaea

12. Jordie Barrett

11. Leroy Carter

10. Damian McKenzie

9. Cam Roigard

8. Wallace Sititi

7. Peter Lakai

6. Tupou Vaa’i

5. Josh Lord

4. Scott Barrett

3. Fletcher Newell

2. Codie Taylor (C)

1. Ethan De Groot

Replacements:

16. Asafo Aumua

17. George Bower

18. Pasilio Tosi

19. Shannon Frizell

20. Anton Segner

21. Kyle Preston

22. Rieko Ioane

23. Josh Moorby

The Wallabies have only made one forced change to their starting XV in the wake of their 42-38 victory over the Springboks in Perth a fortnight ago.

Reds centre Isaac Henry will start at outside centre following Hunter Paisami’s suspension.

Len Ikitau, who starred in his preferred position at 13 against the Boks, will play inside centre.

Ikitau (ankle) was under an injury cloud but was passed fit for tonight’s match.

Wallabies coach Les Kiss chose not to move Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii back to the centres, instead keeping him on the wing.

The Wallabies’ match-day squad is as follows:

15. Tom Wright

14. Max Jorgensen

13. Isaac Henry

12. Len Ikitau

11. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii

10. Ben Donaldson

9. Ryan Lonergan

8. Harry Wilson (C)

7. Fraser McReight

6. Rob Valetini

5. Jeremy Williams

4. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto

3. Allan Alaalatoa

2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa

1. Angus Bell

Replacements:

16. Josh Nasser

17. Aidan Ross

18. Massimo De Lutiis

19. Lachlan Shaw

20. Nick Champion de Crespigny

21. Tate McDermott

22. Declan Meredith

23. Harry Potter

Hey there!

Welcome to ABC Sport’s coverage of the first Bledisloe  Cup Test at Eden Park.

I’m Luke Pentony and it’s great to have you on board.

What a match we have ahead of us …

In the blue corner, the All Blacks have won their past 11 Tests against the Wallabies.

The All Blacks’ last defeat to their trans-Tasman rival at Eden Park came in 1986, while they haven’t been beaten at their spiritual home by any side since 1994.

The All Blacks have also held the Bledisloe Cup for the past 23 years.

In the red corner, the Wallabies are in a confident mood, having dispensed of the world champion Springboks in their last start.

They are unbeaten in their last six Tests and there’s a feeling among their long-suffering fans they’re about to snap their Eden Park drought.

But … we’ve been here before.

It’s not the first time the Wallabies have run onto Eden Park in a buoyant mood, only to depart with their tails between their legs.

Is tonight the moment that all changes for the Wallabies?

We’ll find out soon enough!