Scott Robertson. Photo: Marcelo Endelli/Getty Images
Wallabies v All Blacks
Kick-off: 10:45pm Saturday 4 October
Optus Stadium, Perth
Live blog updates on RNZ
The Bledisloe Cup might be safe but the pressure is still on the All Blacks as this year's enthralling edition of the Rugby Championship enters its final weekend. That's because they've suffered a couple of key injuries so there will be changes, but what else does Scott Robertson have to ponder?
A new first-five
Damian McKenzie. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
That'll be Damian McKenzie, who has already started a test in the 10 jersey this season. Beauden Barrett is out with a shoulder injury, so that means Ruben Love will come onto the bench - again, a role that's already been played this season.
Robertson has opted not to take a backup, which is pretty understandable given that there aren't really any viable options. That's no disrespect to Josh Jacomb, whose time will come, but the fact is that he spent most of Super Rugby Pacific on the bench behind McKenzie at the Chiefs.
So, that means Jordie Barrett is the contingency plan if McKenzie gets hurt during training.
Will Scott Barrett be fit?
The extent of another Barrett brother's shoulder injury is currently unknown, but if he is fit that will mean a reshuffle again which in turn will likely mean a different numbered jersey for Tupou Vaa'i.
A new front row
Ethan de Groot. Photo: ActionPress
It's a very cruel development that Ethan de Groot will not be making the trip to Perth, given that he's quietly gone about being one of the best performers in the team this season. That's off the back of a dramatic end to 2024 for the Highlanders prop, who was dropped for breaching team protocol and never returned for that tour.
However, Tamaiti Williams will come into the team and be more than a handy replacement at loosehead. Who comes onto the bench will be interesting though, as Ollie Norris is out injured.
Loose forward changes
This isn't so much to do with form or injury but simply the workload on a couple of players, Ardie Savea in particular. Savea is now up to his 23rd game of the season and while he will get a decent break after this test before the end of year tour, surely the temptation will be to enforce that break early if the game is in the bag.
Midfield
Billy Proctor. Photo: Marty Melville/Photosport
Billy Proctor may not have lit up Eden Park with flashy ball in hand work, but simply ask yourself how many times Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii's name got mentioned during the match. Proctor's defensive work on the much-vaunted Wallaby threat was perfect, which should be noted as the Hurricanes' centre continues to be a talked-about selection as the season continues.
Wings, again
Quinn Tupaea. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Caleb Clarke limped off the field after getting through a lot of work, but since McKenzie was already on it forced Quinn Tupaea to the wing where the Chiefs midfielder simply picked up where Clarke left off. This now raises a happy situation for Tupaea, who can probably be seen as a viable option to start on the wing, even as early as this weekend.
Does Roigard do another heavy shift
Cam Roigard. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Cam Roigard's game at Eden Park wasn't just exceptional for his two tries, but also the fact that he played almost all of it. His 75-minute shift was the longest for a halfback since Aaron Smith was around, but is that a sign now that his presence will be required if the game is still tight heading into the last 20 minutes?
It's not the best situation considering it now shows other teams that the All Blacks' plan is so heavily reliant on one player, however that may be more about how good Roigard currently is rather than the form of everyone else.
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