All Blacks make five changes for Bledisloe Cup Test with Australia

113

New Zealand have made five changes for Saturday’s third Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia in Brisbane.

The All Blacks saw a 22-match unbeaten run come to an end when they were beaten 27-25 by South Africa in Johannesburg on 4 October.

Cory Jane, Wyatt Crockett, Dane Coles, Brodie Retallick and Liam Messam come in but Aaron Cruden, who was dropped for disciplinary issues, is overlooked.

New Zealand lead the Bledisloe Cup series 1-0 after a 51-20 win in August.

The first match was drawn 12-12 a week earlier as Australia denied New Zealand a record 18th straight Test victory.

Cruden had been expected to return following a two-match suspension for missing a flight to Argentina but Beauden Barrett retained the number 10 jersey and Colin Slade will provide cover from the bench.

New Zealand team: Israel Dagg; Cory Jane, Conrad Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Julian Savea; Beauden Barrett, Aaron Smith; Kieran Read, Richie McCaw (captain), Liam Messam; Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick; Owen Franks, Dane Coles, Wyatt Crockett.

Replacements: Keven Mealamu, Ben Franks, Charlie Faumuina, Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara, Colin Slade, Charles Piutau.