All Blacks v Wallabies: Live Commentary on Newstalk ZB

Trans-Tasman bragging rights are back on the line as the Bledisloe Cup kicks off this weekend.

The All Blacks are taking on Australia at Eden Park, and Newstalk ZB is bringing you all the action, Elliott Smith and Ant Strachan providing commentary live from the Fortress from 7pm.

All you need to know

All Blacks v Wallabies, Bledisloe Cup first test, 7.10pm, Saturday, October 10 at Eden Park, Auckland 

The All Blacks’ unbeaten 53-match run at Eden Park goes on the line tomorrow, as they host the Wallabies in the first Bledisloe Cup test in Auckland. 

Their last loss at the ground was against France on July 3, 1994, while you have to go a further eight years back to September 6, 1986 to see when Australia last tasted victory there. 

While that record is the talk of the town, victory for the All Blacks would see them lock away the Bledisloe Cup for a 24th consecutive season, having reclaimed it in 2003. 

Coach Dave Rennie has been forced to make several changes to his starting side, highlighted by the decision to start Damian McKenzie at first five-eighths following an injury to Richie Mo’unga, and Beauden Barrett slotting in at fullback. 

In the forwards, former captain Scott Barrett and loose forward Shannon Frizell earn their first caps of the year, while Codie Taylor will captain the side in the absence of Ardie Savea. 

There is also a new loose forward trio, with Tupou Vaa’i at blindside, Peter Lakai at openside and Wallace Sititi at No 8. 

For the Wallabies, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii keeps his spot on the left wing, while Len Iktiau returns at centre after overcoming an ankle injury. He will partner Isaac Henry in the midfield with Hunter Paisami suspended. 

Former All Blacks prop Aidan Ross has also been named on the bench for the Wallabies and should he get on the field, he will become the first player in the professional era to have played test rugby for both for and against New Zealand. 

Ross is one of only five men to have played test rugby for both New Zealand and Australia, alongside Ted Jessep, Des Connor, Owen Stephens and Alex Hodgman. 

The All Blacks have won their past 11 tests against Australia. 

All Blacks v Wallabies history 

Played – 181 

All Blacks won – 128 

Wallabies won – 45 

Draws – 8 

All Blacks points scored – 4051 

Wallabies points scored – 2642 

All Blacks v Wallabies past five meetings 

2025 – All Blacks 28-14, Perth 

2025 – All Blacks 33-24, Auckland 

2024 – All Blacks 33-13, Wellington 

2024 – All Blacks 31-28, Sydney 

2023 – All Blacks 23-20, Dunedin 

Scott Barrett returns to the All Blacks side for the first time this year. Photo / Photosport 

All Blacks v Wallabies line-ups 

All Blacks: 1. Ethan de Groot, 2. Codie Taylor (c), 3. Fletcher Newell, 4. Scott Barrett, 5. Josh Lord, 6. Tupou Vaa’i, 7. Peter Lakai, 8. Wallace Sititi, 9. Cam Roigard, 10. Damian McKenzie, 11. Leroy Carter, 12. Jordie Barrett, 13. Quinn Tupaea, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Beauden Barrett. 

Reserves: 16. Asafo Aumua, 17. George Bower, 18. Pasilio Tosi, 19. Shannon Frizell, 20. Anton Segner, 21. Kyle Preston, 22. Rieko Ioane, 23. Josh Moorby. 

Wallabies: 1. Angus Bell, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Jeremy Williams, 5. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6. Rob Valetini, 7. Fraser McReight, 8. Harry Wilson (c), 9. Ryan Lonergan, 10. Ben Donaldson, 11. Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12. Len Ikitau, 13. Isaac Henry, 14. Max Jorgensen, 15. Tom Wright. 

Reserves: 16. Josh Nasser, 17. Aidan Ross, 18. Massimo De Lutiis, 19. Lachlan Shaw, 20. Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21. Tate McDermott, 22. Declan Meredith, 23. Harry Potter. 

Form guide (past five tests) 

All Blacks: 

Lost to South Africa 43-28 

Lost to South Africa 29-24 

Lost to South Africa 33-26 

Beat South Africa 33-16 

Beat Ireland 40-21 

Wallabies 

Beat South Africa 42-38 

Drew with Argentina 28-28 

Beat Argentina 27-21 

Beat Japan 56-17 

Beat Japan 35-32 

Andrew Brace will control the All Blacks v Wallabies test at Eden Park. He's officiated a Bledisloe Cup test previously in 2022. Photo / Photosport 

All Blacks v Wallabies referee 

Ireland’s Andrew Brace takes centre stage for the first Bledisloe Cup test. It will be his fourth test in charge of the All Blacks. His two sideline assistants are Luke Pearce of England and Damian Schneider of Argentina, while Scotland’s Mike Adamson is the TMO and South Africa’s Marius van der Westhuizen is the split screen official. 

All Blacks v Wallabies TAB odds 

All Blacks $1.25, Wallabies $3.80 

All Blacks 1-12 $2.90 

All Blacks 13+ $1.95 

Draw $26 

Wallabies 1-12 $5.00 

Wallabies +13 $13.00 

All Blacks v Wallabies – how to follow the action 

For live commentary of the All Blacks’ test match against the Springboks, join Elliott Smith on Newstalk ZB and iHeartRadio. 

The Alternative Commentary Collective will also be commentating on their iHeartRadio stream. 

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. 

Listen to Elliott Smith’s live commentary on Newstalk ZB Sport and iHeartRadio, or join the Alternative Commentary Collective on iHeartRadio and Radio Hauraki. 

- NZ Herald