Wallabies retain Suaalii on wing as Henry starts first Bledisloe Test

The Wallabies named Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the left wing and Isaac Henry at outside centre on Thursday, October 8, for Saturday’s first Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand at Eden Park in Auckland. Henry replaces suspended midfielder Hunter Paisami in the only change to Australia’s starting side after its 42-38 win over South Africa in Perth. The selection keeps Suaalii in the position where he played against the Springboks as Australia tries to end a long run of defeats to the All Blacks at the ground.

Why Isaac Henry starts at outside centre

Henry, 27, had made four Test appearances when he was selected and is set for his fifth on Saturday. The Queensland Reds midfielder made his Australia debut against Japan in Osaka two months ago. He will wear No 13 alongside Len Ikitau, who moves from outside to inside centre after recovering from an ankle concern. According to the Guardian, Ikitau passed a fitness test before the team was named.

Paisami is unavailable after receiving a four-week ban for a high tackle against South Africa. His absence forced the midfield change, but coach Les Kiss kept the rest of the starting XV that won in Perth. Ikitau scored twice in that match, according to the Guardian; his switch allows Henry to enter at outside centre without moving Suaalii back into midfield.

Suaalii has played most of his 25 Tests in the centres, the Guardian reported, but Kiss has retained him on the left wing. The Guardian said he impressed in the extra space against South Africa, particularly under the high ball. His continued selection there is a confirmed team decision; what it produces against New Zealand will only become clear after the match.

How Australia’s bench has changed

Rugby Australia said prop Taniela Tupou had returned to France. The Guardian reported that Tupou and flanker Tom Hooper had returned to their European clubs because the two-match Bledisloe series falls outside World Rugby’s international window. De Lutiis and Champion de Crespigny take the places of Tupou and Hooper among the replacements, according to ABC News.

Kiss said in Rugby Australia’s announcement: ‘Keeping consistency in the starting side gives us a solid foundation, while adding some freshness on the bench will provide energy late in the game.’ He also acknowledged the venue: ‘There aren’t many tougher challenges than playing New Zealand at Eden Park, but it’s one we’re excited by and know that we will need to be at our best in all aspects of our game.’

Australia’s Eden Park record and the All Blacks selection

The venue gives the team selection particular weight. ABC News reported that Australia have lost 24 consecutive Tests against New Zealand at Eden Park and last beat the All Blacks there in 1986. The Wallabies did beat Wales at the same ground in the 2011 Rugby World Cup third-place playoff, a separate result that does not change their record against New Zealand.

Australia arrive after a 42-38 victory over the reigning world champions in Perth. Kiss has recorded four wins and a draw in his first five Tests since succeeding Joe Schmidt, according to the Guardian. Those results provide recent form, but the Eden Park record shows the scale of the task facing a side whose starting selection has changed only once since the South Africa match.

New Zealand have also named their side amid injury absences. The Guardian reported that fly-half Richie Mo’unga tore a calf muscle in training and will miss both Bledisloe Tests, while winger Fehi Fineanganofo was ruled out after failing concussion tests following a head knock in club rugby. In the announced lineup, Damian McKenzie moves from fullback to fly-half, Beauden Barrett starts at fullback and Scott Barrett returns to the starting second row, the Guardian reported.

The first Test is scheduled for Saturday, October 10, at Eden Park, with a second match in Sydney the following week. Henry’s start and Suaalii’s place on the wing are settled selections for the opener. Whether Australia can convert its Perth momentum into a win at a ground where it has not beaten the All Blacks for four decades remains an on-field question.