Key posts
Game time
All the pre-game work is done and now the game is underway.
The Wallabies are under a bit of pressure early with the All Blacks forcing them into touch after they received the kickoff.
The two teams run out
The Wallabies and All Blacks are now out on the field and preparing for the anthems.
The crowd is roaring although I’m sure some people will still be piling through the gates.
Your view on tonight’s match
Decent: All Blacks by 21 points
It’s a lovely night in Melbourne for what should be a cracking opening Bledisloe match. No shortage of motivation for both teams. The Wallabies have been plagued by inconsistency this year, while the Kiwis are finally learning what it’s like when things don’t go your way at Test level.
‘We love testing ourselves against the Aussies’: All Blacks duo reflect on long history of Bledisloe success
By Tom Decent
Sam Whitelock and Brodie Retallick will go down as arguably the greatest second-row pairing in the history of Test rugby when they hang up their boots.
And if they get their way, there will be a few more fishing trips each year.
Brodie Retallick (left) and Samuel Whitelock (centre) taking on the Wallabies last year.Credit:Getty
“We catch up a little bit … there’s a few quiet ones in there, too,” Whitelock told The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald before Thursday night’s opening Bledisloe Cup match.
“We both don’t mind getting into the outdoors and getting away from rugby a bit and catching up.”
Watch: “Matthew Burke is the hero”
Rennie will coach Wallabies at 2023 World Cup no matter what: McLennan
By Tom Decent
Dave Rennie’s position as Wallabies coach appears safe until next year’s World Cup, with Rugby Australia chairman Hamish McLennan declaring that his job was under no threat, regardless of what happens in the Bledisloe Cup or the remainder of the year.
Since taking over the Wallabies in 2020, Rennie has a win record of 40.7 per cent.
Wallabies head coach Dave Rennie.Credit:Getty Images
In his first year, the Wallabies won just one of their six Tests but three were draws. In 2021, the team won 50 per cent of matches, while this year the Wallabies have triumphed in three of their seven Tests.
If Australia were to lose both upcoming Bledisloe Cup matches, Rennie’s win rate would fall below 38 per cent.
Good evening
G’day everyone. It’s Roy Ward here and I’ll be taking you through the major moments and post game reactions as the Wallabies and All Blacks face off in a Bledisloe Cup test at Marvel Stadium tonight.
Rugby Australia has declared this match a sell-out and Marvel can be a boisterous venue when it is filled to the brim for a major event like this so we should be in for a wonderful evening.
Please feel free to leave a comment on the blog at any time and please enjoy the evening to come.
Kickoff is set for 7.55pm AEST.
