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Bledisloe Cup Rematch: All Blacks and Wallabies Name Teams for Sydney Showdown After 50-19 Auckland Rout

Illustration of a rugby stadium in Sydney at night with one team in black and one in gold lining up for kickoff

Illustration: New Zealand and Australia meet in Sydney on Saturday for the second Bledisloe Cup test of 2026.

New Zealand and Australia have named their teams for Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney, with the All Blacks making three changes to their starting side and the Wallabies turning to rookie flyhalf Declan Meredith — after New Zealand's 50-19 demolition of Australia in Auckland last week secured the trophy for a record 24th consecutive year.

The trans-Tasman rivals meet again at the Sydney Football Stadium on Saturday, October 17, 2026. For Australia, still hurting from what Reuters described as the first defeat of Les Kiss's reign as coach, it is about pride and momentum. For the All Blacks, it is about keeping an unbeaten streak that now stretches to 12 straight meetings against their oldest rivals.

What Happened

Australia coach Les Kiss has handed Declan Meredith the starting flyhalf jersey for the Sydney test, with uncapped playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips named on the bench and in line for a Wallabies debut, Reuters reported on Thursday. Meredith steps up with first-choice flyhalf Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson both unavailable because of leg injuries.

Further injury and suspension headaches have forced Kiss into a reshuffle. With Len Ikitau injured and Hunter Paisami still suspended, Joseph Suaalii moves back into the centres alongside Isaac Henry. Harry Potter starts on the left wing in Suaalii's place, with Filipo Daugunu covering the outside backs and centres from the bench. Former All Blacks loosehead prop Aidan Ross gets a start in the front row, with Angus Bell moved back to the replacements, while Josh Nasser starts at hooker with Billy Pollard backing him up. Brandon Paenga-Amosa and Tate McDermott were dropped from the matchday squad, and forwards Josh Canham and Carlo Tizzano were added to reinforce a bench that faded badly in the second half at Eden Park last week.

Across the Tasman, New Zealand coach Dave Rennie has made three changes to his starting side, Reuters reported. Lock Fabian Holland replaces Josh Lord, loosehead prop George Bower comes in for Ethan de Groot, and Josh Moorby is promoted from the bench to the left wing. Rennie lost forwards Anton Segner and Asafo Aumua as well as winger Leroy Carter to injuries sustained in last week's 50-19 victory. Damian McKenzie gets another run at flyhalf with Richie Mo'unga again unavailable because of a calf injury, while Beauden Barrett starts at fullback.

Background

The Bledisloe Cup, contested annually between the All Blacks and the Wallabies since 1931, is one of world rugby's oldest rivalries. But it has been anything but competitive lately: last week's victory at Eden Park ensured New Zealand would retain the cup for a 24th consecutive year — a streak that predates most of the players on both sides being born.

The manner of the Auckland defeat stung Australia particularly. A 50-19 thrashing at Eden Park, where the All Blacks ran in tries almost at will after halftime, was, according to Reuters, the first defeat of Les Kiss's tenure as Wallabies coach — and it extended New Zealand's winning run in the fixture to 12 straight meetings.

Australia's injury list explains some of the desperation. Losing both first-choice flyhalves, a starting centre, and several forwards to injury and suspension has left Kiss reaching deep into his squad. The selection of the uncapped McLaughlin-Phillips is the headline gamble: a 20-year-old playmaker handed a potential debut in the biggest fixture of the Australian rugby calendar.

Illustration of a rugby flyhalf in a gold jersey kicking the ball high during a night match

Illustration: Declan Meredith starts at flyhalf for Australia, with uncapped Harry McLaughlin-Phillips set for a Wallabies debut from the bench.

Illustration of a rugby team in black jerseys performing the haka in a packed stadium

Illustration: the All Blacks, who retained the Bledisloe Cup for a 24th straight year, have won their last 12 meetings with Australia.

Why It Matters

For the Wallabies, Saturday is about restoring credibility. The Auckland performance raised uncomfortable questions about the gap between the two programs — 31 points is not a bad day at the office, it is a structural warning. With the Sydney crowd behind them, Australia need a performance that at least narrows that gap, even though the trophy itself is gone.

The flyhalf decision will define Kiss's tenure. Flyhalf is rugby's most influential position — the player who directs the attack and makes the tactical calls. Handing it to Meredith while carrying an uncapped rookie on the bench is either bold succession planning or an admission of how thin the stocks are. McLaughlin-Phillips' potential debut gives Australian fans something new to watch: a glimpse of the next generation, arrived earlier than planned.

For the All Blacks, the priorities are different. With the cup already retained, Rennie's focus will be on maintaining standards and developing depth ahead of future campaigns — hence the three injury-enforced and tactical changes. "The Wallabies are a proud side and they'll be hurting after last week," Rennie said in a statement. "It's a great challenge for us to now face them in front of their home crowd in Sydney."

What Happens Next

Saturday's test in Sydney is the final Bledisloe Cup match of the 2026 series. An Australian win — their first over New Zealand in 13 attempts — would be a genuine upset and a timely morale boost before the Wallabies' remaining fixtures of the year. An All Blacks win would simply extend the longest winning streak in the fixture's modern history.

Whatever happens, the selections will be judged quickly. If Meredith and McLaughlin-Phillips perform, Kiss has uncovered new options at the position that has troubled Australia for years. If Sydney goes the way of Auckland, the post-match analysis will focus on just how far the Wallabies have fallen behind — and whether 24 straight years of All Blacks dominance will stretch toward 25.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the second Bledisloe Cup test in 2026?

Australia and New Zealand meet in the second Bledisloe Cup test on Saturday, October 17, 2026, in Sydney, one week after New Zealand's 50-19 victory in Auckland, according to Reuters.

Who won the Bledisloe Cup in 2026?

New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup for a 24th consecutive year with their 50-19 win over Australia in Auckland, according to Reuters.

Who is starting at flyhalf for Australia?

Declan Meredith starts at flyhalf for the Wallabies, with uncapped playmaker Harry McLaughlin-Phillips on the bench and in line for a debut, Reuters reported. Regular flyhalves Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson are out with leg injuries.

What changes did New Zealand make for the Sydney test?

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie made three changes: Fabian Holland replaces Josh Lord at lock, George Bower replaces Ethan de Groot at loosehead prop, and Josh Moorby starts on the left wing in place of the injured Leroy Carter, according to Reuters.

How long is New Zealand's winning streak against Australia?

The All Blacks have beaten Australia in their last 12 meetings, according to Reuters.

Follow World News Daily Hub for the result and analysis of the Sydney Bledisloe Cup test.

Sources

  • Reuters — "Meredith starts at flyhalf, McLaughlin-Phillips set for Wallabies debut in second Bledisloe Cup test" (Oct 15, 2026), reporting the Australia team selection
  • Reuters — "All Blacks make three changes to starting side for second Bledisloe Cup test" (Oct 15, 2026), reporting the New Zealand team selection


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