Damian McKenzie moves from fullback to start at flyhalf for the All Blacks in their opening Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia on Saturday at Eden Park, following training injuries to Richie Mo’unga and Ruben Love that have altered New Zealand’s lineup under head coach Dave Rennie.
Damian McKenzie Takes Flyhalf Role as Injuries Hit Eden Park
The All Blacks enter Saturday’s opening Bledisloe Cup Test against Australia facing an injury crisis that has forced a tactical change in the backline. Head coach Dave Rennie has selected Damian McKenzie to wear the number 10 jersey, marking just the 11th time in his 81-test career that he starts at flyhalf. He replaces a side that ceded the Rugby Greatest Rivalry
series 3-1 after a 43-28 loss to World Cup champion South Africa in Baltimore.
The pivot comes after first-choice option Ruben Love was already ruled out for the remainder of the year with an ankle ligament injury, and Richie Mo’unga tore a calf muscle during a training session on Tuesday. With uncapped Josh Jacomb omitted from the matchday squad, veteran Beauden Barrett steps into the fullback role while providing additional cover at flyhalf.
“Damian’s trained a lot (at flyhalf) for us. Beauden’s predominantly trained at 15 when we’re in Africa, I think both those players are interchangeable. They both spend a lot of time in the backfield. The way we play, having a 15 who is a real playmaker suits.”
Dave Rennie, All Blacks Head Coach
Rennie added regarding the dual playmakers: We could have played them the other way around but they’ll both end up in playmaker roles and they’ll both end up in the backfield.
Scott Barrett and Returning Veterans Line Up for Bledisloe Cup
Former captain Scott Barrett makes his first Test appearance of the year at age 32, packing down at lock alongside Josh Lord. Barrett has spent most of the season sidelined due to a stipulated rest period followed by back surgery in May, returning via Taranaki in the NPC with just over 90 minutes under his belt. His return means three Barrett brothers—Scott, Beauden, and Jordie—will start together for the All Blacks for the first time this year, while also marking Scott’s first Test appearance since losing the captaincy following the sacking of Scott Robertson.
The squad also sees the return of loose forward Shannon Frizell on the bench, making his first Test matchday appearance since the 2023 Rugby World Cup final defeat to South Africa after returning from Japanese club Toshiba Brave Lupus. Hooker Codie Taylor retains the captaincy in the absence of Ardie Savea, who is sidelined for several months following shoulder surgery.
Rennie also emphasized the historical weight of the fixture: 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.
New Zealand enters the match protecting an 11-Test winning streak against the Wallabies and a 53-match unbeaten run at Eden Park dating back to 1994.
Les Kiss Anticipates Tough Challenge at Eden Park
“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.”
Les Kiss, Wallabies Head Coach
How will McKenzie handle his rare start at flyhalf against Australia’s defence?