Barrett brothers reunited as All Blacks cop big Bledisloe blow

The All Blacks have suffered another big blow on the eve of the Bledisloe Cup, with gun No.10 Richie Mo’unga ruled out of Saturday’s series opener at Eden Park and beyond.

The team revealed on Thursday that Mo’unga tore his calf during training on Tuesday, while winger Fehi Fineanganofo has also been ruled out of the series with concussion and a hamstring injury.

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie was already without first-choice playmaker Ruben Love, who is out for the rest of the year following ankle surgery.

Rennie has opted to switch fullback Damien McKenzie to the No.10 jersey, while giving Beauden Barrett a start at No.15.

“Damian’s trained a lot (at No 10) for us. Beauden’s predominantly trained at 15 when we’re in Africa,” Rennie said.

“I think both those players are interchangeable. They both spend a lot of time in the backfield. The way we play, having a 15 who is a real playmaker suits.

“We could have played them the other way around, but they’ll both end up in playmaker roles, and they’ll both end up in the backfield.”

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Three Barrett brothers have been reunited in the starting lineup, with former captain Scott named at lock after recovering from a serious injury, and Jordie keeping his spot at inside centre.

Crusaders utility back Chay Fihaki has been called into the squad as cover.

The All Blacks are coming off three straight losses to the Springboks while the Wallabies are unbeaten in their last six Tests.

Former Wallabies coach Rennie was unable to bring the trophy across the Tasman during his term with Australia.

"The Bledisloe Cup means a huge amount to this group. There's a lot of history and pride tied up in it, and every Test against the Wallabies carries real weight for us," Rennie said.

“We have huge respect for this Australian side and the way they have been playing. We know we’ll need to be at our best.

"We've been on the road for the last eight games, so the boys are rapt to be home and really looking forward to running out at Eden Park one last time this year.”

Australia has not beaten New Zealand at Eden Park in 40 years.

Rennie was sacked by Rugby Australia and replaced by Eddie Jones ahead of the ill-fated 2023 Rugby World Cup.

But he said he wasn’t using that as motivation.

“It’s not about me,” Rennie said.

“I’ve got no regrets. I got to work with some really good people, people I have a lot of time for. It is a part of a game that we’re involved in.

“I enjoyed my time in Japan. I’ve loved coming back here and working with these guys. We’ve got great people, players and staff, and I’m enjoying that. So we’re highly motivated. But it’s not about me.

“I know a lot about the players, obviously. There’s a big number of them started in 2020. And, you know, they’ve now played, well, you know, 50 or 60 or 70 Tests.

“So what we know is they’re a good side, they’re experienced, and they’ve played a lot of footy together. We’re well aware of the strength of that team. They’ll come here confident. They’ve had a good run recently. And as you saw against that African side, they’re pretty dominant for 70 minutes.”

Rennie was impressed by Australia’s progress under Kiss.

“They’ve got a pretty good understanding too of how they’re trying to play,” he said.

“And you’ve got some guys in there who are the best in the world, if not close to that. So yeah, a lot more dangerous.

“But I think that’s good for us, too. You know, we’ve come out of South Africa, we’ve got a bit of a point to prove there, and we’re up against a really worthy opponent. We know we’re going to have to be at our best.”

Forwards Fabian Holland and Tyrel Lomax were surprise omissions.

Rennie said lock Holland was “unlucky” to miss out while prop Lomax had been given instructions on where he needed to improve.

All Blacks (15-1): Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Leroy Carter, Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard, Wallace Sititi, Peter Lakai, Tupou Vaa’i, Josh Lord, Scott Barrett, Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor (c), Ethan de Groot

Reserves: Asafo Aumua, George Bower, Pasilio Tosi, Shannon Frizell, Anton Segner, Kyle Preston, Rieko Ioane, Josh Moorby

Wallabies (15-1): Tom Wright, Max Jorgensen, Isaac Henry, Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Ben Donaldson, Ryan Lonergan, Harry Wilson (c), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Jeremy Williams, Allan Alaalatoa, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Angus Bell

Reserves: Josh Nasser, Aidan Ross, Massimo De Lutiis, Lachlan Shaw, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Tate McDermott, Declan Meredith, Harry Potter

Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)

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