Coach Scott Robertson faces a selection quandry before facing Australia. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
All Blacks v Wallabies - Bledisloe I
Kickoff: 5.05pm, Saturday, 27 September
Eden Park, Auckland
Live blog updates on RNZ
Will coach Scott Robertson go for wholesale changes after the All Blacks' record defeat in Wellington?
There certainly are a few on the cards for the year's first Bledisloe Cup test against a Wallabies side that present a very different picture to the Springboks, so maybe a few would have been made anyway.
Robertson names his side at 12.15pm Thursday and welcomes back a few injured players to the All Blacks squad too, so here's how they may fit in to the matchday squad for Saturday:
Roigard starts, surely
Halfback Cam Roigard returns from a fractured foot. Photo: Andrew Cornaga/www.photosport.nz
Cam Roigard got through a shift off the bench for Counties-Manukau on the weekend and was up for media this week, which more or less confirms he'll play this weekend.
Cortez Ratima is back as well, so the easiest prediction for this test line-up - along with Codie Taylor starting at hooker - is that those two take their places back in the starting team and bench respectively.
But who starts outside him
Damian McKenzie and Beauden Barrett reflect on defeat to South Africa. Photo: Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
Beauden Barrett has been the preferred starter this season at 10, but Robertson must be tempted to give Damian McKenzie a run for at least two reasons.
The All Blacks attack did very little after Leroy Carter's try in Wellington, while this weekend, the Wallabies will try a much more run-heavy game. That potential broken field will be one that suits McKenzie's game and it is worth remembering that he started the first Bledisloe Cup test last year.
If McKenzie does get the nod, expect Will Jordan to move back to fullback.
A return for Holland?
Fabian Holland competes at the lineout with Pieter-Steph du Toit. Photo: Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
After starting his first five tests, Fabian Holland was moved back to the bench for the Springbok series. This feels like his chance to break back into the starting side, as Tupou Vaa'i may find himself back on the blindside.
He'll also either be the lock cover or have the now fit Patrick Tuipulotu backing up on the bench.
What does that do to the loosies
Ardie Savea will line up in the loose forwards, but where? Photo: ActionPress
It always felt like Simon Parker was picked specifically for the Springbok tests in an attempt to counter the big South African ballrunners. That certainly worked in Auckland, where Parker's big frame worked well to help slow down the ball, but he will move back to the bench, if Vaa'i makes that shift to blindside.
That gives the All Blacks three key lineout targets, which was missing in Wellington, when the set-piece fell apart. Vaa'i will team up with Wallace Sititi and Ardie Savea in the loose forwards, the first time we'll see that combination this season.
Up front
Australia offers Tamaiti Williams a chance to find form. Photo: Jeremy Ward / www.photosport.nz
The Wallabies scrum is not the same as the Springbok one, so there may just be a straight rotation here. Tamaiti Williams hasn't been in his best form, but this could be a chance for him to find it again, especially after his really good showing in the corresponding match last year.
Taylor will have instructions to make sure the lineout goes smoothly, after the disaster in Wellington.
What about Leicester and the midfield?
Another test looms for Leicester Fainga'anuku. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
Leicester Fainga'anuku was rushed back to eligibility, so they really have to pick him to justify all the fuss or simply send him back to play in the NPC.
Billy Proctor has been one of the more talked-about players lately, so if he starts at centre again, he will need a big game to assure everyone he is indeed a test-level player.
Robertson has Anton Lienert-Brown's experience to call on too, as well as Rieko Ioane, if he wants to revert back to his original backline formation.
Out wide
Leroy Carter impressed against South Africa. Photo: Kerry Marshall / www.photosport.nz
Here's where it gets interesting, because Leroy Carter probably deserves another start, but Caleb Clarke and Sevu Reece are available. Clarke got through a couple of games with Auckland and looked pretty handy, and while Reece has fallen out of favour a bit, he does have a very good track record against the Wallabies.
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