Scott Robertson has made three changes to the backline for Saturday’s Bledisloe Cup test in Wellington with Sam Cane to play his 100th test for the All Blacks.

Cane and TJ Peranara will both start in their final tests on home soil, with the former skipper becoming the 13th All Black to mark 100 tests. Beauden Barrett still start in the No 10 jersey, replacing Damian McKenzie who moves to the bench. In other backline changes, Anton Lienert-Brown replaces the injured Jordie Barrett at second five-eighth with halfback Perenara starting over Cortez Ratima.

“This will be a particularly special night for Sam and TJ and the boys will put in a performance that honours their contribution to this team. Sam will be joining an exclusive club of All Black centurions, which is testament to his fortitude and work ethic,” Robertson said.

“As a Wellington man and the most-capped Hurricane of all time, we know that TJ is a crowd favourite in the capital and we look forward to him expressing himself on the field in front of friends and whānau at home.”

On the bench, Blues skipper Patrick Tuipulotu returns while David Havili replaces Harry Plummer who was a late replacement in Sydney.

McKenzie has started every test this season and Robertson said he can play a key role from the bench.

“Damian McKenzie can provide experienced cover at both first five and fullback, as Beauden has previously, and it is great to bring David Havili in to complete the 23, providing strong depth across the back line. We are excited about the opportunity this week to put in a complete performance against the Wallabies in Wellington.”

All Blacks v Australia history 

Played 177 

All Blacks won 124 

Australia 45 

Drawn 8 

All Blacks points 3959 

Australia points 2591 

The All Blacks have won eight straight against the Wallabies, their last defeat back in 2020. New Zealand’s longest winning streak against Australia is 10. 

All Blacks recent record in Wellington 

Sky Stadium has not been a great venue for the All Blacks of late. They’ve had one win in their past seven tests in Wellington, going back to the 2017 British and Irish Lions series. The last time Australia visited, the Wallabies left with a 16-16 draw after Jordie Barrett nailed a 79th-minute penalty to earn a face-saving result. The All Blacks’ last two tests in the capital have resulted in a 10-point defeat and an eight-point loss. Ouch. 

Since 2017 

Lions 24 All Blacks 21, 2017 

All Blacks 26 France 13, 2018 

South Africa 36 All Blacks 34, 2018 

All Blacks 16 South Africa 16, 2019 

All Blacks 16 Australia 16, 2020 

Ireland 32 All Blacks 22, 2022 

Argentina 38 All Blacks 30, 2024 

Australia have played the All Blacks six times at Sky Stadium, their only win coming in the 2000 test when John Eales kicked a late winning penalty. They drew the last encounter 16-16 in 2020. Australia do have two other victories at Sky Stadium, both at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, beating USA 67-5 and a quarter-final win over South Africa 11-9. 

Australia also have victories over the All Blacks at Athletic Park in 1949, 1964, 1982, 1986 and 1990. 

All Blacks v Australia line-ups 

All Blacks 

When is the All Blacks team named? Thursday 11am 

Australia 

Named Thursday 

Sam Cane to join All Blacks’ 100 club 

The All Blacks No 7 is expected to reach 100 tests when he takes the field in Wellington on Saturday. Cane has made 76 international starts, with 23 appearances off the bench. He has already reached 100 games for the All Blacks as he played the Barbarians in 2017. Cane made his debut against Ireland in 2012, a 22-19 win in Christchurch. He didn’t lose a test until his 23rd match for New Zealands. 

The only top-tier team Sam Cane has never beaten is England. Amazingly, of his 99 tests, Cane has only played England once, which was the 2019 semifinal defeat. 

List of teams Sam Cane has played 

Australia (24), Argentina (17), South Africa (16), Ireland (9), France (8), Wales (5), Italy (4), British and Irish Lions (3), Japan (2), Scotland (2), Namibia (2), United States (2), England (1) Tonga (1), Samoa (1), Barbarians (1), Georgia (1), Uruguay (1). 

All Blacks to play 100 tests 

Sam Whitelock 153 

Richie McCaw 148 

Keven Mealamu 132 

Beauden Barrett 130 

Kieran Read 127 

Aaron Smith 125 

Tony Woodcock 118 

Dan Carter 112 

Brodie Retallick 109 

Owen Franks 108 

Ma’a Nonu 103 

Mils Muliaina 100 

All Blacks v Australia form guide (last five tests) 

All Blacks: W, L, L, W, L 

Australia: L, L, W, L, L 

All Blacks v Australia referee 

Nika Amashukeli of Georgia will be in control of the second Bledisloe Cup test. He’s been in charge of the All Blacks’ three tests previously including Argentina’s 25-18 defeat in Christchurch two years ago. Amashukeli was referee of the All Blacks’ first test this season, a 16-15 win over England in Dunedin. Australia are 2-0 in games with Amashukeli in charge. 

All Blacks v Australia TAB odds 

All Blacks: $1.06 Draw: $26 Australia: $7 

All Blacks v Australia - how to follow the action 

For live commentary of All Blacks v Australia, join Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB, Gold Sport and iHeartRadio. 

The Alternative Commentary Collective will have live commentary from James McOnie & Tony Lyall from 7pm on Sky Sport 9 and iHeartRadio. 

You can watch the game on Sky Sport 1 and it will be livestreaming on Sky Sport Now. 

You can also find live updates at nzherald.co.nz.