Key posts
New Zealand back Bledisloe Cup clash on Anzac Day
Great get here from Payto, with New Zealand rugby boss Mark Robinson signaling that he supports launching an annual Bledisloe Cup clash on Anzac Day.
It’s a sellout tonight in Wellington, so the appetite remains for his great fixture in New Zealand.
Read the piece here
Noah Lolesio looks on in Wellington as he arrives Credit: Getty Images
Sam Cane gets his 100th cap today
100 Tests for any country is an incredible opportunity, to do it in the iconic All Blacks number seven jumper is something different altogether.
Sam Cane will run out today and become New Zealand’s 13th centurion.
One of the toughest players around, the former Test captain has dealt with criticism and kept coming back for more.
He will have a huge amount of motivation taking on the Wallabies today in Wellington and Wallabies breakaway Fraser McReight will be doing everything to spoil his party.
Sam Cane and Scott Robertson before the Test against the Wallabies at WellingtonCredit: Getty Images
First time on Kiwi soil with the Wallabies for Joe Schmidt
Coach Joe Schmidt has obviously been back in New Zealand internationally before during his highly successful stint with Ireland, but now he is back with the Wallabies.
Normally, Wellington serves up its trademark wind, but it looks like perfect conditions for running rugby.
Last week, the Wallabies defence had a torrid start with a blitz of three tries within twenty minutes, the focus at training will have been to tighten that up. Let’s also not forget how many tries that the All Blacks coughed up when they had ample opportunities to ramp up the scoreboard.
Big Test for both countries, and a huge motivation for Schmidt on his return to his homeland to spring the ultimate surprise.
Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt is back home in New Zealand Credit: Getty Images
Who have you got today?
What about the All Blacks?
There’s a fair amount to digest in this team too.
Cortez Ratima was excellent at halfback for the All Blacks last week, but TJ Perenara gets the starter jersey.
A far bigger call is Beauden Barrett is given the keys to the playmaker’s box of tricks and will pull on the 10 jersey with Damian McKenzie dropping to the bench.
McKenzie is definitely not a bad option from the pine given his versatility and will have more than a few points to prove to a doubting public.
Will Jordan was outstanding last week at fullback and will be surely backing it up with another strong performance.
Jordie Barrett is injured so Anton Lienert-Brown comes in to take the inside centre jumper.
How the Wallabies are lining out
Here is a reminder how the Wallabies will take on the All Blacks this evening in Wellington.
It is the first time that the Wallabies have had a settled pack since the World Cup with Harry Wilson again captaining the side. Fraser McReight played brilliantly last week and he will be looking for another big performance.
Marika Koroibete is out with an injury, but he has endured a difficult time in the side, so Dylan Pietsch gets his opportunity to shine.
Jake Gordon is back at 9 ahead of Nic White, and will be looking to add some physicality at the fringes, and also keep on the right side of the referee.
Tom Wright had one of his best games in the Wallabies jersey and will have room to move in Wellington.
Welcome to Wellington
We are back.
It’s Jonathan Drennan here and thank you for your company this afternoon when television remotes are under serious strain in the household with a feast of sport available this afternoon.
But importantly, you have decided to be here , because you are a believer, a dreamer, or quite simply, a Wallabies fan.
Last week, after twenty minutes in Sydney, you’d have been forgiven for thinking that all hope was lost, then the Wallabies roared back to set up a Test match for the ages.
They are back to face the All Blacks for a rematch in Wellington, a place where home comforts do not traditionally tend to work for New Zealand.
Can the Wallabies actually build some consistency and win this? The bookies definitely don’t think so. Then there are the All Blacks, under more pressure than ever, they know that they can’t just win, they need to win comprehensively in the cake tin.
Looking forward to it.
