Overview
- Teams were named for the second Bledisloe Test in Sydney on Thursday, with New Zealand making three starting changes and Australia making four changes to its XV.
- New Zealand kept most of the Eden Park winning XV but replaced injured players on the bench after several setbacks, including concussions to Anton Segner and Asafo Aumua and an ankle problem to Leroy Carter.
- Australia elevated Declan Meredith to start at fly-half after Ben Donaldson was ruled out with an upper-leg injury and named uncapped Harry McLaughlin-Phillips on the bench as possible Test debutant.
- Coach Les Kiss moved Angus Bell from the start to the replacements to provide late-game impact, promoted Aidan Ross to start at loosehead and shifted Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii into midfield following Len Ikitau’s concussion.
- Carter Gordon’s recovery from a fractured fibula remains unresolved with a fitness test due within 48 hours, a development that could affect Australia’s playmaker depth for November internationals.