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Barretts return in injury-affected All Blacks squad vs Wallabies
Sport Nation • October 8th, 2026 12:00 pm
Beauden Barrett kicked seven points in the victory over Scotland at Murrayfield | Photo: AP
All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has opted for experience as they prepare to take on the Wallabies at Eden Park on Saturday night, naming 145-Test first-five Beauden Barrett in the No.15 jersey.
Damian McKenzie will shift to the No. 10 jumper after both Richie Mo'unga and Ruben Love were ruled out of the Bledisloe Cup series with injury.
Barrett will start his first Test of the year, having featured in only one of the All Blacks' seven Tests in 2026. The experienced playmaker scored a try off the bench in Baltimore against the Springboks.
As expected, Codie Taylor will lead the All Blacks at Eden Park, with in-form Hurricanes hooker Asafo Aumua off the bench.
Ethan de Groot and Fletcher Newell make up the starting front row, joining Scott Barrett and Josh Lord in the tight-five.
Wallace Sititi makes a return to the starting lineup at No. 8, alongside Peter Lakai and Tupou Vaa'i in the loose-forward trio.
Wallace Sititi | Photo: Photosport
In the backline, Leroy Carter and Will Jordan take up the wing spots, with the formidable combination of Jordie Barrett and Quinn Tupaea in the midfield.
Rennie and his selectors have picked George Bower and Pasilio Tosi for the bench prop roles, while the return of Shannon Frizell headlines a powerful and dynamic bench rotation. Anton Segner, who recently re-signed with New Zealand Rugby for another four years, will wear the No.20 jersey.
Kyle Preston gets the nod over Cortez Ratima off the bench, with 89-Test veteran Rieko Ioane joining Josh Moorby as the outside back replacements.
Rennie said the All Blacks respect the quality of the Les Kiss-coached Wallabies side, and are aware of Saturday's challenge.
"The Bledisloe Cup means a huge amount to this group. There's a lot of history and pride tied up in it, and every Test against the Wallabies carries real weight for us," Rennie said in a statement.
"We have huge respect for this Australian side and the way they have been playing. We know we'll need to be at our best.
"We've been on the road for the last eight games, so the boys are rapt to be home and really looking forward to running out at Eden Park one last time this year.”
All Blacks matchday 23 vs Wallabies:
1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor (captain), 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Josh Lord, 6. Tupou Vaa'i, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Beauden Barrett,
Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. George Bower, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Shannon Frizell, 20. Anton Segner, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Rieko Ioane, 23. Josh Moorby.
