WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND (AP) – The All Blacks and Wallabies have been forced to reshuffle their lineups for tomorrow’s return Bledisloe Cup test in Auckland which could decide the outcome of this season’s Rugby Championship.
Sam Whitelock takes over as All Blacks captain from Sam Cane who is injured and whose absence also forces a sweeping re-organisation of the New Zealand backrow.
The Wallabies also have been forced to make backrow changes in the absence of Rob Leota who will miss the rest of the season with an Achilles tendon injury. Harry Wilson returns at number eight while Rob Valetini moves from the back of the scrum to the blindside.
Caderyn Neville has recovered from a knee injury and will rejoin Jed Holloway in the second row.
“It’s great to have Cadeyrn available and Harry’s been working really hard to earn another opportunity in the gold jersey, so we’re excited for both of them,” head coach Dave Rennie said.
Lock Darcy Swain, who provided a talking point a week ago with his damaging clean-out on All Blacks centre Quinn Tuapea, has been suspended for six matches.
Nick Frost takes Swain’s place on the Wallabies bench where prop Angus Bell has been named to make his first appearance in this season’s Rugby Championship.
