Overview
- Just two points separate leaders Australia from last-placed Argentina with two rounds left, with New Zealand hosting Australia in Auckland and South Africa meeting Argentina in Durban before next week’s rematches in Perth and London.
- New Zealand are under scrutiny after a record 43-10 home loss to South Africa, with Scott Robertson denying any feud with Joe Schmidt and recalling Codie Taylor, Cam Roigard, Cortez Ratima and Caleb Clarke as Ardie Savea captains in Scott Barrett’s injury absence.
- Rankings analysts say the All Blacks could drop to a record-equalling fifth with a loss to Australia, slide to sixth with a heavy defeat, and potentially fall further if results elsewhere go against them.
- The Eden Park clash doubles as the Bledisloe Cup opener, where holders New Zealand need a win on Saturday to retain the trophy this year, as Wallabies prop James Slipper becomes the first Australian to reach 150 caps and Tate McDermott brings up his 50th.
- In London, No. 1 England meet No. 2 Canada in a Women’s Rugby World Cup final set for a 82,000 sellout, with Canada arriving unbeaten in 12 matches after a 34-19 semifinal win over New Zealand and both teams naming unchanged lineups; a Canada victory would lift them to No. 1.