Wallabies name side for second Bledisloe Test; Meredith replaces injured Donaldson

Mixed · 2The Wallabies have named their match-day squad for Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks at Stadium Australia in Sydney, with Declan Meredith starting at fly half in place of Ben Donaldson. 1 2 Mixed · 2Donaldson was ruled out by an upper leg injury; ABC News described it as minor, and CNA reported it was to his kicking leg. 1 2 Centre · 1Coach Les Kiss said Donaldson was given a chance to prove his fitness in Thursday's session, but the team decided it was not worth the risk, with four more Tests to come after this one. 2

Left · 1Uncapped Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is back-up fly half on the bench and will make his Test debut if he plays, alongside reserve scrum half Kalani Thomas, who has not yet played a Bledisloe Cup Test. 1 Left · 1Meredith, who debuted against France in July, will play outside Brumbies teammate and scrum half Ryan Lonergan. 1 Mixed · 2In the midfield, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii moves from the wing back to centre and partners Isaac Henry, who shifts to inside centre, because Len Ikitau is out with concussion and Hunter Paisami is suspended; Harry Potter starts on the wing. 1 2

Left · 1In the front row, former All Black Aidan Ross starts at loosehead prop in place of Angus Bell, and Josh Nasser starts at hooker with Brandon Paenga-Amosa rested. 1 Left · 1Hooker Billy Pollard, lock Josh Canham, openside flanker Carlo Tizzano and utility back Filipo Daugunu return as reserves, and Lukhan Salakaia-Loto will play his 50th Test. 1 Centre · 1CNA said Kiss had strengthened the bench to avoid the second-half drop-off in which the Wallabies conceded five tries in Auckland. 2

Centre · 1Last Saturday the All Blacks won 50-19 at Eden Park, keeping the Bledisloe Cup in New Zealand for a 24th straight year, and the Wallabies have now lost 12 consecutive Tests against them. 2 Centre · 1All Blacks coach Dave Rennie made three changes and again lacks his first two choices at fly half, so Damian McKenzie starts there with Beauden Barrett in reserve at fullback. 2 Centre · 1Rennie said his side still thinks it can be better and expects a hurting Wallabies team, while Kiss said his squad believes it can win and wants to make people proud. 2

Left · 1The match closes a "quadruple header" at Stadium Australia, with the Wallaroos playing Scotland and the Australian women's and men's sevens teams meeting New Zealand and Fiji, the first time all four national teams share a match day. 1