ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT

All Blacks team plus Facts and Stats ahead of Wallabies Test in Sydney

BY Grant Constable  ·  Thursday Aug 18, 2016

The All Blacks team to face the Wallabies in the opening Bledisloe Cup match in the Rugby Championship has been named, and after much speculation, Hurricanes star Beauden Barrett has been picked to start at number ten. The two teams meet in Sydney on Saturday.

The other news in the matchday 23 is that Chiefs prop Kane Hames comes onto the bench as an injury replacement for Joe Moody. If he takes to the field on Saturday, he will become the sixth new All Black in 2016.

Kickoff on Saturday 20 August at 20:05 local, 07:05 ART, 10:05 GMT, 12:05 SAST, 22:05 NZST

NEW ZEALAND TEAM (Test caps in brackets):
1. Wyatt Crockett (48), 2.  Nathan Harris (4), 3.  Owen Franks (80), 4.  Brodie Retallick (50), 5.  Samuel Whitelock (75), 6.  Jerome Kaino (69), 7.  Sam Cane (34), 8.  Kieran Read – captain (87), 9.  Aaron Smith (50), 10.  Beauden Barrett (39), 11.  Waisake Naholo (6), 12.  Ryan Crotty (18), 13.  Malakai Fekitoa (15), 14.  Ben Smith (51), 15.  Israel Dagg (51)
Reserves: 16.  Codie Taylor (5), 17.  Kane Hames, 18.  Charlie Faumuina (36), 19.  Liam Squire (1), 20. Ardie Savea (2), 21.  TJ Perenara (19), 22.  Aaron Cruden (39), 23.  Julian Savea (43)

All Blacks Head Coach Steve Hansen said: “The selectors are very happy with the 23 selected for this Test match and we’re looking forward to seeing them play. With more than 800 Test caps of experience in our matchday 23, I’m confident we have the experience to deal with the challenge.”

“We’re all really excited about this first Investec Rugby Championship Test match. It’s against one of our most respected rivals and the Championship itself is one of the best competitions in the world. It produces an exciting brand of rugby and world-class players, which both teams have.

Barrett’s selection ahead of the previously favoured Cruden is due to his sublime form in both Super Rugby, and when coming off the bench against Wales earlier this year.

ALL BLACKS vs WALLABIES – Facts and Stats [via opta]

–  The All Blacks and Australia have played each other 155 times, with 106 wins to the All Blacks and 42 to Australia, with seven draws.

– The Wallabies have not held the Bledisloe Cup since 2002, with the All Blacks winning or retaining the trophy 13 times since then.

-The All Blacks have lost just one of their last 13 against Australia (W10, D2); their 10 victories in that run have come by an average margin of 16 points.

– Steve Hansen’s side have won their last 11 on the bounce by an average margin of 27 points; only South Africa have managed to finish within 10 points of the All Blacks in that time.

–  Jerome Kaino will play his 70th Test match on Saturday.  He is the most capped blindside flanker of all time.

– The All Blacks head in to the opening Bledisloe Cup Test on the back of a three-nil Steinlager Series win over Wales in June.

– Australia have lost their last four Tests in a row and have not lost five on the bounce since a run of seven consecutive defeats in 2005; the fifth defeat in that run came against New Zealand.

– Julian Savea has scored 39 tries in 43 games for New Zealand, and one more try would make him just the fifth All Black to reach 40 Test tries (Doug Howlett – 49, Christian Cullen – 46, Joe Rokocoko – 46 & Jeff Wilson – 44)

– The All Blacks have held The Bledisloe Cup since 2003.

credit: rugby.com.au/allblacks.com

ADVERTISEMENT

Related Articles

  • 40 WEEKS AGO

    World Cup winner to return after year long...

  • 41 WEEKS AGO

    Rugby league golden boot star set for huge...

  • 56 WEEKS AGO

    Hurricanes miss the memo as New Zealand clubs...



ADVERTISEMENT

Great Tries

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: Outlandish Jacob Stockdale finish is truly world class

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Ulster denied THE GREATEST URC try you will ever see!

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Capuozzo break sets Dupont up for hatrick on return

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Fans praise 'Dom Perignon Rugby' as Irish players prepare for final match of South African tour

View All

Big Hits & Dirty Play

  • 6 DAYS AGO

    Ireland 'steal' Argentina's opening try as debate rages

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    WATCH: The biggest hit from week one of the Autumn Nations Series

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    'Cheap shot' from Leicester Tigers vs Northampton Saints causing a stir online

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Wild moment leads to all in brawl during Welsh derby between Cardiff and Scarlets

  • 8 WEEKS AGO

    South African school boy makes the greatest tackle ever

View All

See It To Believe It

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Fans in awe as Joyce finishes ‘impossible’ solo try

  • 4 WEEKS AGO

    Insane moment as french backrow waves off medic and smokes Ange Capuozzo

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible drop goal helps break 25-match losing streak

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Leinster fly half delivers insane 50:22 after being given start for Emerging Ireland

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    French scrumhalf drills perfect shot at goal under outrageous circumstances

View All

Funnies

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    Mischievous Marcus Smith spotted engaging in the dark arts during All Blacks match

  • 5 WEEKS AGO

    Jonny Sexton: 'Fondest memory of the Heineken Cup in 2011?' - 'Gordon D'Arcy's bar' and 'Coppers'

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    Watch: Mike Haley's post match interaction with RG Snyman leaves no doubt about where Munster players stand

  • 6 WEEKS AGO

    The rugby guy and Mack Hansen drop an all time BANGER with latest video

View All

Amateur

  • 97 WEEKS AGO

    You Won’t See Many Better Than This Silky-Smooth Try From Llandovery RFC

  • 97 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes As Caldy RFC Hand Ealing First Championship Defeat Of The Season

  • 120 WEEKS AGO

    Dubious Score Decides Result Of Rugby's Biggest Schools Fixture

  • 120 WEEKS AGO

    Incredible Scenes At School Boys Rugby Match

  • 121 WEEKS AGO

    The Next Dominant Backrow?

View All

Player Features

  • 12 HOURS AGO

    'Eligible for England' - Fans react to South African star's contract announcement

  • 3 DAYS AGO

    The 19-year-old named the 'future' of English rugby after win against Australia A

  • 1 WEEK AGO

    Anthony Watson exclusive: 'I wouldn't be surprised if England win'

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    It’s a 9.5/10 for Joseph-Aukuso Sua’ali’i

  • 2 WEEKS AGO

    “Put that in the book” - Rieko Ioane’s explosive post reignites feud with Sexton

View All