Damian McKenzie to start at flyhalf as All Blacks face Wallabies in Bledisloe clash

Coach Dave Rennie has named Damian McKenzie as the starting flyhalf for the All Blacks after Richie Mo'unga suffered a calf injury during a training session. Ruben Love, Rennie's preferred starter, is unavailable due to an ankle injury, leaving McKenzie to fill the role for the first Bledisloe Cup test at Eden Park. The squad sees the return of former captain Scott Barrett in the second row alongside Josh Lord, and a revamped back row with Tupou Vaa'i, Wallace Sititi and Peter Lakai replacing the injured Luke Jacobson and Ardie Savea, who is out for the year.

Quinn Tupaea comes back from injury to partner Jordie Barrett in the centres, while Beauden Barrett starts at fullback and the wings are filled by Leroy Carter and Will Jordan. Shannon Frizell, back after the 2023 World Cup final, provides bench cover, and the team aims to maintain its Bledisloe Cup dominance at Eden Park.