All Blacks make 12 changes to starting 15 for second Bledisloe Cup clash

The All Blacks are almost teasing the Wallabies with the team they’ve picked for Saturdays’s Bledisloe rematch and remain odds-on favourites.

Samu Kerevi says the All Blacks are a world-class team no matter who is playing. Picture: Mackenzie Sweetnam/Getty Images

Even after dropping a mammoth 12 players for Saturday‘s Bledisloe Cup return clash in Dunedin, the All Blacks remain unbackable favourites to topple the Wallabies who still have to “kick down” the door that has been opened for them.

New Zealand has been about as unwelcoming as a touring Wallabies side would expect this week, training in rain and sleet for the first Test in Dunedin since 2017.

Players have been wearing trackpants and beanies and superstar centre Samu Kerevi said the Wallabies with Pacific Island heritage were feeling the pinch.

“Some boys from Fiji have never seen this type of cold,” Kerevi said as his team finalised preparations.

“Dunedin has put it on … as good as the weather‘s been, after this game I’ll be pretty keen to get back to Brissy (Brisbane).”

Samu Kerevi and Wallabies teammates during the captain's run in Dunedin. Picture: Joe Allison/Getty Images

But the cold in New Zealand will be offset by the “trial by fire” the Wallabies, winless in three Rugby Championship starts and thrashed 38-7 by the All Blacks at the MCG last week, are in for on Sunday.

That’s how Kerevi sees every clash with the Kiwis, regardless of who is playing.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster opted for the mass changes to his team with the World Cup less than 40 days away. Only three players – Brodie Retallick, Ardie Savea and Will Jordan – remain in the starting 15 from last week’s clash in Melbourne.

Wallabies coach Eddie Jones has stuck with the bulk of his side, including rookie five-eighth Carter Gordon.

It’s hardly altered the expectations, however, with the Kiwis still $1.05 favourites with online bookies Betr to win again.

The Wallabies too don’t feel like they’ve been given an easier task.

“Any All Blacks side that comes out is their best side … it’s a world-class team,” Kerevi said.

“We didn‘t take it as a B-team or anything like that.

“We see another great team that‘s stepped in. Another great 12 and 13 combination.

“Anyone saying that D-Mac (Damian McKenzie) is not a world-class 10 or their forward pack is not a world-class forward pack – you got to come out and play them.

“They‘ve got depth for days.

“It‘s not a door that’s been opened. We’ve got to kick that door down every time we play them.”

A trip down memory lane with Scott Barrett 🖤

The boys are looking forward to returning to Dunedin this weekend 🏟#BledisloeCup#NZLvAUSpic.twitter.com/65YuNlE4ZI

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 3, 2023

Kerevi was adamant though a test against the All Blacks was the perfect proving ground for the Wallabies who have undergone a “remodelling” of their own through three straight losses under coach Eddie Jones.

“This trial by fire is what the team will be made of at the end,” he said.

“So, stick by us or not, but we‘re sticking by ourselves.”

The Wallabies haven’t played in Dunedin since 2017 when Australia led 29-28 with three minutes left only for Beauden Barrett, who isn’t playing for the All Blacks on Sunday, to score late as the Kiwis recorded a 35-29 win.

None of the Wallabies from that match-day 23 will line up in a gold jersey on Saturday.

Originally published as All Blacks make 12 changes to starting 15 for second Bledisloe Cup clash