McReight, Sititi, to define the Bledisloe Cup for years to come

There was a subtle changing of the guard on Saturday night that could see Fraser McReight and new All Blacks marvel Wallace Sititi defining the Bledisloe Cup for years to come.

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - SEPTEMBER 28: Fraser McReight of Australia is tackled during The Rugby Championship & Bledisloe Cup match between New Zealand All Blacks and Australia Wallabies at Sky Stadium on September 28, 2024 in Wellington, New Zealand. (Photo by Hagen Hopkins/Getty Images)

There was a subtle changing of the guard on Saturday night that could see Fraser McReight and new All Blacks marvel Wallace Sititi defining the Bledisloe Cup for years to come.

Both backrowers will be at the centre of their nation’s hopes at the 2027 World Cup in Australia after their influential roles in Sydney and Wellington over the past fortnight.

McReight was at the heart of the Wallabies’ hot start in “The Cake Tin” on Saturday night with an early try and a trademark jackal to earn a penalty.

The All Blacks rolled onto a 33-13 victory and no forward on the park was more eye-catching than mobile 22-year-old Sititi who is an impressive 115kg.

So often Trans-Tasman battles have been defined by classic backrow match-ups like Richie McCaw against George Smith or David Pocock.

Fraser McReight charges into the All Blacks defence. Picture: Getty Images

More recently Michael Hooper, Sam Cane and Ardie Savea have left their marks as rivals.

All Blacks legend Andrew Mehrtens made it clear as a Stan Sport commentator that we are witnessing the emergence of the next superstar in black.

“He has everything at his disposal. He has physicality, feet, and offloading ability,” Mehrtens raved.

“He has just been devastating early in his career.”

When Sititi was stepping and offloading during the All Blacks’ 21-0 scoring spurt, the Wallabies had to really step up and scramble or it could have been another 40-point-disaster like in Argentina.

To the Wallabies’ credit, they fought hard and showed resilience.

That was hugely important because so often in the past they’ve battled hard on home turf and melted like a Cadbury Caramello Koala across the Tasman, even when the sun isn’t shining.

Wallace Sititi shapes as a key All Black over the next few years of the Bledisloe Cup. Picture: Getty Images

McReight, new skipper Harry Wilson and their teammates can now take on the Grand Slam tour of Europe with quiet confidence.

The cocky types in the Northern Hemisphere may be surprised by these Wallabies if they keep running the ball, keep Taniela Tupou on the field for at least 50 minutes and keep defending like they have a point to prove.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt still has plenty of work to do to get his team to play well for 80 minutes, not just 30, 40 or 50.

He has just six weeks to sharpen things before they play England at Twickenham on November 10.

Can he get instant value out of rugby league code-hopper Joseph Sua’ali’i?

Who knows with plenty of moving parts in the Wallaby backline already.

Originally published as McReight, Sititi, to define the Bledisloe Cup for years to come