CHAMPIONSHIP

All Blacks make three changes as Sam Cane prepares for his 100th test match

By Mahlon Lichuma

Posted on September 26, 2024

All Blacks head coach Scott Robertson has made three changes to the backline ahead of Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup clash in Wellington, where Sam Cane is set to celebrate his 100th test for the team.

Cane, alongside TJ Perenara, will start in what could be their final tests on home soil before leaving for Japan.

Cane will become the 13th All Black to reach the milestone of 100 tests. Meanwhile, Beauden Barrett will don the No. 10 jersey, replacing Damian McKenzie, who moves to the bench.

In other backline changes, Anton Lienert-Brown will replace the injured Jordie Barrett at second five-eighth, while Perenara will start at halfback, taking over from Cortez Ratima.

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The only adjustment to the forward pack that faced Australia in the first Bledisloe test last weekend comes on the bench. Patrick Tuipulotu returns for his first test since facing England at Eden Park in mid-July.

Saturday’s match at Sky Stadium will break a long drought for one side or the other unless it ends in a draw.

The Wallabies haven’t won on New Zealand soil since 2001, their last victory coming at Carisbrook in Dunedin, a venue that no longer exists.

Contest between All blacks and Wallabies. PHOTO/Screen Grab

For the All Blacks, it’s been six years since their last win at Sky Stadium, a 26-13 triumph over France in 2018.

Although the All Blacks have already secured the Bledisloe Cup, they’ll be eager to end their winless run at Sky Stadium with a victory on Saturday night.