Wallabies team to face All Blacks in Bledisloe Cup - James Slipper to make 150th Test Cap

Following a Round Four defeat to Argentina in Sydney, Schmidt has reshuffled his side with six alterations to the matchday line-up, including four in the backline and two in the pack.

In the backs, Harry Potter returns to the right wing, with Max Jorgensen shifting to full-back and Andrew Kellaway missing out. Len Ikitau comes into the midfield at inside centre in place of Hunter Paisami, while there is a fresh half-back pairing as veteran O’Connor starts at fly-half and Tate McDermott earns promotion to the No. 9 jersey. O’Connor’s selection sees Tane Edmed drop to the bench.

Up front, Nick Frost returns from injury to partner Lukhan Salakaia-Loto in a new-look second-row combination. Tom Hooper shifts to blindside to cover for the injured Rob Valetini, while the bench sees Brandon Paenga-Amosa replace Josh Nasser at hooker and Allan Alaalatoa return at tighthead. Rookie Ryan Lonergan has also been named among the replacements and is in line to make his Test debut.

The most significant selection is at loosehead prop, where Slipper retains his place to become the first player in Wallabies history to reach 150 Test appearances. The 34-year-old, who debuted against England in 2010, already holds the record as the most-capped prop in world rugby. He now joins Welsh great Alun Wyn Jones and former All Blacks lock Sam Whitelock as just the third player to achieve the milestone.

Schmidt paid tribute to his skipper and milestone man as he looked ahead to the Eden Park challenge.

“The squad have worked away this week, fully aware of the challenge that awaits at Eden Park,” said the Wallabies boss. “It’s a fitting occasion for James Slipper to reach the milestone of 150 Test matches and for Tate McDermott to represent the Wallabies for the 50th time.”

Saturday’s match doubles as the opening Bledisloe Cup clash of the year, with Australia aiming to end New Zealand’s two-decade-long grip on the famous trans-Tasman trophy.

Here’s the Wallabies team listed 15–9, then 1–8:

15 Max Jorgensen
14 Harry Potter
13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
12 Len Ikitau
11 Corey Toole
10 James O’Connor
9 Tate McDermott

1 James Slipper
2 Billy Pollard
3 Taniela Tupou
4 Nick Frost
5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
6 Tom Hooper
7 Fraser McReight
8 Harry Wilson (c)

Replacements:
16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa
17 Angus Bell
18 Allan Alaalatoa
19 Jeremy Williams
20 Carlo Tizzano
21 Ryan Lonergan
22 Tane Edmed
23 Filipo Daugunu