Wallabies exposed in combined Bledisloe Cup XV as All Blacks dominate 12 positional battles

Can the 22-year All Black dominance over Australia come to an end this year? It might take a miracle. JAMIE PANDARAM analyses the 15s of both countries – and comes up with an alarming conclusion.

How many Wallabies would make a combined Bledisloe Cup XV?

The Bledisloe Cup has been one-way traffic since 2003, leaving the trans-Tasman showdown that once captivated the rugby world as a mere annual drubbing of the Wallabies.

The spectacle has gone from a must-see event that commanded the attention of all sports fans, to now rusted-on Australian rugby supporters watching through shaky fingers.

The All Blacks’ 22-year dominance of the trophy is the result of an excellent rugby development and pathway system, and a series of bumbling Australian rugby administrative decisions, coaching overhauls and lack of talent development.

It has reached the stage where New Zealand, who have always seen Australia as “big brother” and regarded the Bledisloe Cup as the most important trophy bar the World Cup, have now made an agreement with South Africa to do reciprocal nationwide tours every four years.

The Wallabies have become all too familiar with Bledisloe losses in recent years. Picture: Getty

Big brother is now small fry in the scheme of things, and the new tour starting in 2026 is the southern hemisphere’s version of a British & Irish Lions series, given the name “Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry”.

Australia has been left out in the cold because of repeated failure.

The only way to regain the respect of the Kiwis, and bring some meaning back to the Bledisloe Cup contest, is for the Wallabies to win it back.

This young and unfancied group led by Joe Schmidt have the task of turning Australian rugby’s fortunes, but they face a wounded All Blacks team coming off successive losses to the Boks.

Here is a look at how the first Test of 2024 shapes up, with 15 individual, player-by-player battles:

Angus Bell

One of Australia’s best performers over the past three seasons, loosehead prop Bell is a strong scrummager, but often steals the show for his work beyond the set-piece. He is an agile runner who can also offloaded, a multifaceted threat for the defence.

Ethan de Groot

The 122kg power forward returns to the starting side following a neck injury that kept him out of the South Africa tour. Born on the Gold Coast, de Groot has become the All Blacks’ primary loosehead, starting in last year’s World Cup final, and will attempt to neutralise the power of Taniela Tupou at scrum time.

Matt Faessler

Playing in just his 11th Test, Faessler will be under the microscope particularly during lineout throws, but has already shown a temperament beyond his years. The 25-year-old needs to be heavily involved across the park. So far in TRC, he has carried 12 times for 57 metres and made 28 tackles, compared to Codie Taylor who has 30 carries for 228 metres, and 38 tackles.

Codie Taylor

The 91-Test veteran is in career best form, proving to be one of the Kiwis’ best on the South African tour. His lineout throwing has been sharp, he is a sound scrummager, and poses a threat on both sides of the ball. Often stationed wide on the wing to take advantage of overlaps in attack, Taylor is also a proven breakdown turnover merchant.

Taniela Tupou

Under the most pressure of any player on the park, Tupou needs to show just why he is being paid $1.2 million a year by Rugby Australia. His 35-minute effort in the last Test does not justify the salary. On his day the most explosive Wallaby, Tupou needs to stand up on the big stage this weekend.

Tyrel Lomax

The son of rugby league star John Lomax, born and raised in Canberra, he has become one of the All Blacks key front rowers since he departed Australia in 2017. He also started the World Cup final and has been a weapon for the All Blacks’ dominant scrum over the past three years, while being a breakdown rock.

Nick Frost

One of Australia’s best performers this year, the underrated lock has been among the Wallabies’ busiest ball-carriers. He must set the physical tone against his second row rivals to ensure his team is not outmuscled on the park.

Scott Barrett

The All Blacks captain has been a mainstay of the pack for the past eight years, and now leads the team with the same ruthlessness he guided the Crusaders under coach Scott Robertson. An expert lineout caller and defensive beast who turns up when the heat is on.

Jeremy Williams

The least experienced player in the starting XV, Williams has struggled to make his mark, and there is no better opportunity than in his hometown of Sydney against the All Blacks. The 23-year-old cannot become lost in the contest, and must impose himself on the game and his opponents.

Tupou Vaa’i

Already with 32 Test caps to his name, Vaa’i is establishing himself as a frontline member of the pack. Aside from his strong ball-running and lineout jumping capabilities, he has added a new dimension at the breakdown, leading The Rugby Championship this year with turnovers.

Rob Valetini

Australia’s most dominant ball-runner and reigning John Eales medallist will be the most important Wallabies player on the field. If he can get the team moving forward and put New Zealand on the back foot, they stand a chance. If not, it will be ugly.

Wallace Sititi

Named after Scottish knight William Wallace from Braveheart fame, Sititi has taken to the Test battleground like he’s always belonged. After a breakout season with the Chiefs in Super Rugby this year, the 22-year-old held his own against the Springboks and mixes power running with a strong breakdown presence.

Fraser McReight

The fetcher returns from injury to give the Wallabies much needed backrow grunt. His back-up Carlo Tizzano did a fine job standing in, but McReight is Australia’s best No.7 and needs to show it against the Kiwis. Turning over possession and slowing down ball will be key to stopping their attacking raids.

Sam Cane

The former All Blacks skipper remains a formidable physical rival as he comes up on his 99th Test. Cane’s workrate and defence will pressure the Wallabies all over the field, and if as expected this is a fast-paced game, he will often be used as a link between backs and forwards.

Harry Wilson

The Aussie skipper has rediscovered some of his best form in the gold jersey this year and is growing with the leadership responsibility. But this is his acid test. Wilson not only needs to lead with his ball-running, tackling and lineout work, but with a calm and concise demeanour in every situation the game throws up.

Ardie Savea

Seemingly never tackled, the 2023 World Player of the Year will be Australia’s biggest challenge to contain. His immense ball carries often break the line open, and he draws three defenders each time he has the ball, creating space around him.

Nic White

The mouthy No.9 has returned to the starting side to rile the Kiwis. White brings experience and aggression, and his trademark box-kicks will be used to pressure New Zealand in the air. But he will also try to get under their skins with his chat.

Cortez Ratima

The explosive 23-year-old halfback can bench press 170kg, an incredible feat for a player weighing 87kg. That strength makes Ratima a dangerous ball-runner darting from the ruck, able to shrug off tacklers, while his improving passing game and left-footed kicking will keep the Wallabies guessing.

Noah Lolesio

The chopping and changing of the Wallabies halves continues, as it has done so for the past decade, and Lolesio is back in the hot seat. His passing accuracy and kicking game still have question marks. Now is the time to show he can run a Test match.

Damian McKenzie

One of the most dangerous players in the world with ball in hand, McKenzie is under pressure to deliver after the All Blacks failed to score a try in their previous match. In sunny, dry conditions in Sydney, the scene is set for this sharp-stepping playmaker to unleash the free-flowing attack New Zealand is renowned for.

Marika Koroibete

It’s been a mixed bag for Koroibete this year, but he is one player the All Blacks will fear. His ability to finish opportunities, break tackles, and pressure the back three with his relentless chasing will be crucial for Australia’s chances. He has missed 10 tackles in TRC so far, that must be addressed.

Caleb Clarke

Aussie fans still have nightmares about Clarke’s barnstorming debut in the 2020 Bledisloe series, and he’s still bringing the same power game. The 107kg flyer returns to the team from a back injury and will plan to show the same destructive force he displayed against Argentina and in the first Test against the Boks.

Hunter Paisami

There were big question marks over his fitness, but Paisami’s knee has come good in time for this match. He will certainly be tested in defence, but the Queenslander rarely shrinks in a fight. His task will be to get over the advantage line repeatedly.

Jordie Barrett

Has transformed himself from an outside back into one of the most damaging inside centres in the world. Barrett uses his big body to bend the line and shut down attackers, has developed clever passing and short kicking capabilities and runs expert decoy lines.

Len Ikitau

Australia’s best performing back, Ikitau will be relied upon to create the chances out wide Australia needs to pull off a miraculous win. His mix of power and skill means he needs to be fed plenty of ball in this match by those inside him.

Rieko Ioane

Has been in patchy form this year, far short of the days he routinely sliced open defences and scored long range tries for fun. Ioane was dropped for the first Test against Argentina that New Zealand lost, was recalled the following week but still has Anton Lienert-Brown hot on his heels for the starting role.

Andrew Kellaway

The reliable Kellaway is excellent in timing and finding space. But he has been exposed in defence recently, and it’s likely the All Blacks will attack his channel to further his woes. Kellaway needs a bounce-back performance, and is sure to be lurking in support when a break is made.

Will Jordan

Undoubtedly one of the most talented players on the planet, Jordan has the knack for always being at the right spot at the right time, or creating chances from nothing. He will be a handful for the Wallabies defence, particularly when racing in-field looking for work.

Tom Wright

He will be tested under the high ball, and consistently turned around by the kicking game of McKenzie and the Barretts. Wright has showcased classy skills this year and provided some moments of magic. More of that, a safe pair of hands and accurate kicking will be enormous factors in how this game unfolds.

Beauden Barrett

The most experienced All Black in the squad will be a constant counter-attacking threat. His speed and ball-playing ability will create havoc in wider channels if not contained. Expect plenty of bombs from Barrett, putting the Wallabies under aerial pressure.

Jamie Pandaram’s combined Bledisloe XV

1. Angus Bell

2. Codie Taylor

3. Tyrel Lomax

4. Scott Barrett

5. Tupou Vaa’i

6. Rob Valetini

7. Fraser McReight

8. Ardie Savea

9. Cortez Ratima

10. Damian McKenzie

11. Marika Koroibete

12. Jordie Barrett

13. Len Ikitau

14. Will Jordan

15. Beauden Barrett

Originally published as Wallabies exposed in combined Bledisloe Cup XV as All Blacks dominate 12 positional battles