Predicting the All Blacks side that will face the Wallabies in their ...

With the Bledisloe Cup opener against the Wallabies closing in, we have taken a stab at predicting the All Blacks team that could run out in Melbourne.

Head coach Ian Foster is set to reveal his side later next week ahead of the July 29 clash, as New Zealand look to wrap up the Rugby Championship title.

After next weekend’s match, these two sides will meet again in Bledisloe II, with that game taking place at Forsyth Barr Stadium in Dunedin on August 5.

That will be several stars’ final match on New Zealand soil, which has been factored into our thinking, as well as needing to look at fringe players.

15 Damian McKenzie: Foster has seen the McKenzie combination with Beauden Barrett and Barrett with Richie Mo’unga, but is yet to put McKenzie and Mo’unga in tandem. McKenzie was outstanding at 10 in their opener, but there’s still a need for greater depth at full-back, so a strong performance will tick that box for Foster as a refreshed McKenzie returns.

14 Will Jordan: 22 tries in 22 Tests makes him undroppable, and while there is a need to wrap him in cotton wool, surely Jordan keeps his place against the Wallabies? He tore the Springboks to pieces last weekend, and if he shows no signs of migraines, one would expect a run-out before a rest in the Dunedin rematch.

13 Rieko Ioane: As we have mentioned previously, the depth at centre due to injury has been one concern for the All Blacks, which is why Ioane and Jordie Barrett pretty much pick themselves. Not as prominent against the Boks as he was versus Los Pumas, don’t be surprised if Ioane cuts loose against the Wallabies midfield.

12 Jordie Barrett: He’s been one of the standout performers of the Rugby Championship so far, and it’s no surprise that McKenzie and Mo’unga have enjoyed barnstorming starts in their respective games. Barrett looks at home at 12, but it will be encouraging for Foster to see a certain veteran as a bench option below.

11 Leicester Fainga’anuku: Foster has taken a look at Caleb Clarke and Mark Telea thus far, and it could well now be time for a fit Fainga’anuku to get a run-out. He was outstanding for the Crusaders but with time running out to impress before the squad for the World Cup is named, surely he deserves a rare start.

???? We ain't lying right now. You may NEVER see a better finish than this!

????: @skysportnz ????????: Leicester Fainga'anuku + @crusadersrugby #CRUvCHI pic.twitter.com/viRLow7dXR

— Super Rugby NZ (@SuperRugbyNZ) March 13, 2021

10 Richie Mo’unga: We see no reason to move Mo’unga from 10 after his exploits against the Boks, especially in such a big game at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Foster is unlikely to make wholesale changes to his side for this vital match, with Mo’unga set to direct the traffic from 10 alongside a man in form.

9 Aaron Smith: Antoine Dupont might be rated as the number one scrum-half in world rugby, but Smith’s performances in the opening two games have been on point. His service, organisation and speed at the breakdown are second to none, and it would be a bold call to make an alteration at nine for this away fixture.

8 Ardie Savea: Much like Smith, he is nigh on undroppable, and while Foster must surely want to see the likes of Luke Jacobson, Melbourne isn’t the time.

7 Sam Cane: It would also be bold to drop skipper Cane for such an important game, especially with him in encouraging form at the moment. It will help Foster that he already knows what Dalton Papali’i can bring to the table after his starts late last year, so expect the captain to lead his men out at the MCG.

6 Shannon Frizell: Speaking of being in form, Frizell played the house down against the Springboks as he drew Jonah Lomu on Mike Catt comparisons from his run over Willie le Roux. New Zealand finally have their post-Jerome Kaino blindside, which allows the player wearing five to remain in his best position.

5 Scott Barrett: Indeed, Barrett has shone in the opening two games, and it’s no surprise it’s come at lock after a stellar campaign for the Crusaders. Sam Whitelock is set to be available again, but he could make a return via the bench, thus allowing Barrett and Brodie Retallick to continue their partnership.

4 Brodie Retallick: His performance against South Africa saw him make Two Cents Rugby’s top five players from the round, and rightly so. A veteran whose worth to the All Blacks cannot be understated, ‘Guzzler’ is set to keep his jersey against a side he scored one of the great international tries back in 2018.

Brodie Retallick ????#BledisloeCup pic.twitter.com/F1P7otzF8L

— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 4, 2021

3 Tyrel Lomax: We see no reason to tinker at tighthead, especially with Lomax adding further layers to his game. He’s coming of age at the perfect time with a World Cup on the horizon.

2 Samisoni Taukei’aho: A change in the front-row from Round Two, we feel it might be time to give Taukei’aho his first start of the year. Dane Coles and Codie Taylor have gone well in their starts, but we still have the powerhouse Chief ahead in the pecking order, which is why we feel it’s time to let him loose.

1 Ethan de Groot: Similar to Lomax, if it ain’t broke… De Groot has been a revelation at loosehead as New Zealand suddenly look rock steady at scrum time. He offers plenty around the field, too so another start is likely for the Highlander before young Tamaiti Williams picks up some more invaluable minutes.

16 Codie Taylor: As mentioned, Taylor performed strongly against South Africa, but in Melbourne, we expect a bench role where he will add impact later on.

17 Tamaiti Williams: A second opportunity to impress for the young Crusaders prop, who can play either side of the scrum. Williams has a bright future.

18 Nepo Laulala: With Fletcher Newell still missing due to injury, it’s likely Toulouse-bound tighthead Laulala will continue in the number 18 jersey.

19 Sam Whitelock: His probable return from injury might be best made via the bench, and what a luxury to have the veteran lock as an option to come on.

20 Dalton Papali’i: We expect it to be as you were with their back-row replacement. A quality impact man to have in reserve for Cane later in matches.

21 Finlay Christie: With Cam Roigard in Counties Manukau colours this weekend, it’s unlikely he’ll feature in Melbourne, so it’s jersey 21 for Christie.

22 Beauden Barrett: Having started both games thus far, looking at other combinations might be wise, but what an option to have coming off the bench.

23 Anton Lienert-Brown: New Zealand are in need of midfield reserves and it’s for that reason we might see Lienert-Brown accelerated into the mix next Saturday. Like Roigard, he’s in NPC action this weekend, but we feel his experience off the bench and ability to cover 12 and 13 get him in over Braydon Ennor.

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