All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has made four changes to his matchday 23 for the clash against Australia in the Rugby Championship and first Bledisloe Cup Test at Accor Stadium, Sydney.
De Groot will make his return to the team to start in the front-row having missed both of the Rugby Championship defeats to the Springboks in South Africa with a neck injury. He features alongside hooker Codie Taylor and tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax.
The second-row remains unchanged with Scott Barrett captaining the side and is partnered by Tupou Vaa’i.
Following a standout performance in his first start for the All Blacks, Wallace Sititi, following his standout performance in his first start for All Blacks, will retain his number six jumper with Sam Cane earning his 99th Test cap on the other flank and Ardie Savea at number eight.
New Zealand 7s perform Haka. Photo Courtesy/Mike Lee – KLC fotos for World Rugby
In the backs, Beauden Barrett will make his return at fullback after coming off the bench in Cape Town while Clarke has recovered from his back injury to take the left wing.
Barrett’s return to the number 15 jersey means that Will Jordan moves back to the right wing and Sevu Reece drops to the bench.
Jordie Barrett and Rieko Ioane are the starting centers once again with Cortez Ratima and Damian McKenzie named at nine and 10, respectively.
There is another change on the bench as Robertson has recalled tighthead Pasilio Tosi, who is in line for his second Test cap after debuting against Fiji in July. He provides front-row cover along with hooker Asafo Aumua and loosehead Tamaiti Williams.
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Sam Darry and Luke Jacobson are the other two forwards amongst the replacements as scrum-half TJ Perenara, center Anton Lienert-Brown and wing Reece complete the bench.
New Zealand will be looking to defend the Bledisloe Cup, a trophy they have held since 2003.
TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA – SEPTEMBER 25: Luke Jacobson of the All Blacks is tackled during the Rugby Championship match between the New Zealand All Blacks and the South African Springboks at QCB Stadium on September 25, 2021 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Matt Roberts/Getty Images)
A win in the opener against the Wallabies would see them hold onto the Cup for another year as there are just two Test matches between the nations this year and a drawn series sees the existing Bledisloe Cup holder retain the trophy.
New Zealand team v Australia
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cortez Ratima, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Sam Cane, 6 Wallace Sititi, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Scott Barrett (c), 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Sam Darry, 20 Luke Jacobson, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Anton Lienert-Brown, 23 Sevu Reece
