Wallabies hand Isaac Henry Bledisloe start as Suaalii stays on wing
Isaac Henry will start at outside centre for Australia in Saturday's first Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand at Eden Park. Wallabies coach Les Kiss has kept Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the left wing. It is Henry's biggest Test assignment yet The Guardian.
The 27-year-old Queensland Reds midfielder has four caps. He made his debut against Japan in Osaka in August. His promotion is the only change to the starting side that beat South Africa 42-38 in Perth.
Hunter Paisami is unavailable after a four-week ban for a high tackle against the Springboks. Len Ikitau has passed a fitness test on an ankle injury and shifts in one place, from outside centre to inside centre, the No. 12 shirt tucked just inside Henry. Ikitau scored two tries in that win over South Africa.
Suaalii stays wide. The 25-Test back has played most of his international rugby in the midfield. Kiss tried him on the wing against South Africa and has stuck with it. Pace out wide. Power inside.
Australia's starting pack is unchanged from Perth. Tom Hooper and Taniela Tupou have returned to their clubs in Europe, because the two-match Bledisloe series — the annual trophy contested by Australia and New Zealand — falls outside World Rugby's official international window when clubs must release players. Kiss has tweaked his bench from six forwards and two backs to five forwards and three backs, with Massimo de Lutiis, Nick Champion de Crespigny, Josh Nasser and Declan Meredith among the replacements.
Kiss is unbeaten in his first five Tests since succeeding Joe Schmidt, with four wins and a draw. That run includes the high-scoring win over South Africa. Eden Park is next, and it is never quiet.
New Zealand have a playmaker problem. Richie Mo'unga tore a calf muscle at training on Tuesday and will miss both Bledisloe Tests in Auckland and Sydney. Damian McKenzie moves from fullback to fly-half, the No. 10 role that steers the attack, after Ruben Love had earlier injured an ankle during the South Africa series The Guardian.
Winger Fehi Fineanganofo is also out of the opener after failing concussion checks following a head knock in club rugby. He scored 17 tries for the champion Hurricanes in the last Super Rugby Pacific season. Ardie Savea, Luke Jacobson, Anton Lienert-Brown, Billy Proctor, Caleb Clarke, Ollie Norris and Patrick Tuipulotu are all sidelined by injury as well.
What makes this stand out is the contrast. Australia have stability, bar one enforced midfield switch. New Zealand are reshuffling key positions. For newcomers, watch the centres, where defenders meet attackers head-on, and the No. 10s, who decide when to kick, pass or run. Small calls there will shape the night.
