Wallabies

The 20-year-old Lolesio replaces the injured James O'Connor as starting first-five and will face a baptism of fire at the Olympic stadium where the All Blacks will be bent on sealing the Bledisloe Cup with a match to spare.

Lolesio's Super Rugby teammate Simone slots into the midfield in the team named, with regular Matt Toomua ruled out with a groin injury after breaking down during the 27-7 loss to the All Blacks in Auckland two weeks ago.

Beaten 27-7 by New Zealand in the second Test of the series at Eden Park in Auckland yesterday, the Wallabies have to win Tests in Sydney and Brisbane to claim the Bledisloe Cup for the first time since 2003.

Prop James Slipper, one of the team’s most experienced players in the squad said the post-match mood was surprisingly upbeat.

“The good thing is that we get to play them in two weeks’ time and I guarantee it will be a better outcome,” Slipper said.

“There’s a lot of confidence in the group and we’re well aware this Bledisloe is still alive.

The Wallabies came crashing back to earth after last week’s thrilling 16-16 draw in Wellington as the All Blacks piled on four tries to one in a 27-7 rebound rout in Auckland on Sunday.

In chalking up their 20th straight trans-Tasman victory at Eden Park since 1986, no All Black was more destructive in punishing the Wallabies for their defensive deficiencies than rookie winger Caleb Clarke.

Prop Allan Alaalatoa says one of the great things that Rennie has brought forward is that the Fijians have shared a song for the team to learn and the Tongans have also shared a song as well and they are just waiting for the Samoan one now.

The Wallabies face the All Blacks at 3pm Sunday in their second Bledisloe Cup match.

White was a stand-out for the for the Wallabies in their 16-16 draw last weekend, repeatedly troubling New Zealand’s defence with his sniping runs from the ruck.

His clever box kicking in the swirling Wellington wind also tested the home side.

But the 30-year-old doesn’t expect to be given an inch to move at in Auckland’s Eden Park, where the Australians will attempt to snap a losing streak that dates back to 1986.

The 25-year-old scored a crucial try in the 16-all draw to reaffirm Wallabies coach Dave Rennie’s faith in handing him a debut in the cauldron of trans-Tasman rugby.

Carrying on his superb Super Rugby AU form, Daugunu looked right at home at Sky Sports Stadium, keeping pace with fellow Fijian flyer Marika Koroibete, who was Australia’s other tryscorer.

Daugunu finished with a 108 metres from 11 runs, which was 44 more metres than any other player on the field.

His four tackles busts was also an equal game-high.

The Wallabies, under new coach New Zealander Dave Rennie, were rank outsiders to upset the hosts but that's almost what they did, as new All Black coach Ian Foster's reign began with a fizzle rather than a roar.

A thrilling game of to and fro ending in a 16-all draw after nearly nine minutes of injury time, in which neither side could break the stalemate.

However, it could have been very different for the All Blacks, had centre Rieko Ioane not blown a certain try.

Reece Hodge had the chance to snatch a win with a 55-metre penalty goal attempt after the full-time siren, but his shot hit the right-hand upright.

Play continued but neither side was able to find the winning points, with James O'Connor finally electing to boot the ball into touch and settle for the draw almost nine minutes after the siren had sounded.

O'Connor kicked a penalty in the 63rd minute to split a 13-13 deadlock and it looked like it could be enough for the Wallabies to break through for their first win over the All Blacks in New Zealand since 2001.

20-year-old Harry Wilson will make his debut in the number six jersey and is joined by fellow Queenslanders Hunter Paisami who will make his debut at outside centre and Filipo Daugunu also earning his first cap on the wing.

Captain Michael Hooper will play his 100th Test, becoming just the 12th Wallaby to reach the milestone.

The front row sees the 96-Test capped James Slipper at loosehead prop alongside hooker Folau Fainga'a, with Taniela Tupou at tighthead.

Just what Super Rugby will look like in the post-COVID world remains to be seen, but the push for the involvement of a team from the Pacific Islands is growing stronger.

The chances of a team representing Fiji, Samoa and Tonga in Super Rugby Aotearoa 2021 took a hit last week, though, when New Zealand Rugby chairman Brent Impey confirmed the Kiwi competition will stay at five teams next year.