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LIVE COMMENTARY: Australia vs the All Blacks

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Fri, 19 Aug 2016, 2:11pm
Newstalk ZB have live commentary of the All Blacks vs Australia from Sydney (Photosport)
Newstalk ZB have live commentary of the All Blacks vs Australia from Sydney (Photosport)

LIVE COMMENTARY: Australia vs the All Blacks

Author
Newstalk ZB Staff ,
Publish Date
Fri, 19 Aug 2016, 2:11pm

Join Nigel Yalden and the Newstalk ZB Commentary team for the live call of the All Blacks vs Australia from Sydney. 

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO LIVE COMMENTARY (NZ RESIDENTS ONLY)

It's the first match of the 2016 Rugby Championship, and the All Blacks will be looking to defend their long unbeaten record, that stretches back to August 2015, when Michael Cheika's men took the Rugby Championship off the All Blacks in dramatic fashion. 

Cheika has named a near-identical team to start against the All Blacks from the side that lost the Rugby World Cup final at the end of 2015.

Since making that final, it has been a tough road for the Australian rugby team, who lost three in a row against England, who were coached by Eddie Jones. 

For the All Blacks, the situation couldn't be more different.

Despite a huge crop of retirements at the end of 2015, they have enjoyed a 3-0 series win over Wales, and the emergence of a new group of starting players capable of breaking a game open. 

Beauden Barrett has earned a rare start after turning himself into the in-form first five worldwide, with Aaron Cruden shifting to the bench. 

In the outside backs, Julian Savea has been benched in favour of a back three of Waisake Naholo, Ben Smith and Israel Dagg. 

New captain Keiran Read is joined in the loose forwards by Sam Cane and Jerome Kaino, while Kane Hames could earn his first test cap off the bench at prop. 

The full side is: Israel Dagg, Ben Smith, Malakai Fekitoa, Ryan Crotty, Waisake Naholo, Beauden Barrett,Aaron Smith, Kieran Read, (captain), Sam Cane, Jerome Kaino, Sam Whitelock, Brodie Retallick, Owen Franks, Nathan Harris and Wyatt Crockett.

The reserves are: Codie Taylor, Kane Hames, Charlie Faumuina, Liam Squire, Ardie Savea, TJ Perenara, Aaron Cruden and Julian Savea.

MORE LIVE COMMENTARY

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