Barrett returns to fullback as All Blacks make 4 changes for the 1st Bledisloe Cup test

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) - Fullback Beauden Barrett will return to the starting 15 in the All Blacks team that will play Australia in the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney on Saturday.

Barrett had been named on the bench for the second test against South Africa in Cape Town two weeks ago as head coach Scott Robertson tried to add experience to solve New Zealand’s problem with closing out matches.

The move was unsuccessful as the Springboks rallied to win the match 18-12 after also coming from behind to win the first test 31-27.

Barrett’s return forces Will Jordan, who started at fullback in Cape Town, to return to the right wing.

In the other change to the All Blacks lineup, Ethan de Groot returns from injury at looshead prop, forcing Tamaiti Williams to the bench and Caleb Clarke is named on the left wing after overcoming a back injury.

Scrumhalf T.J. Perenara who also was named on the bench for the second Springboks test remains among the reserves as Cortez Ratima retains the starting role in his sixth test.

Wallace Sititi also has been retained on the blindside flank after a strong showing in Cape Town in only his third test match. With Jordan’s positional switch, Sevu Reece drops back to the bench.

The young Hurricanes prop Pasilio Tosi has been named on the bench to make his second test appearance after his debut as a replacement against Fiji in July. Regular prop replacement Fletcher Newell is sidelined with a calf injury.

"We have selected an experienced team which has combinations that have played some of our best rugby this season,” Robertson said. "The Bledisloe Cup is so revered by both of these teams, we are expecting a classic showdown against our Australian rivals.

“We have acknowledged the rich history of the Cup this week as a team and recognize that history does not bestow any rights. The Bledisloe Cup is always hard-earned and each year is its own chapter in the Bledisloe story."

The All Blacks have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003.

There will be heavy pressure on both teams in Saturday’s test as they share 1-3 records in this season’s Rugby Championship. The All Blacks had a win and a loss against Argentina in New Zealand then lost twice to the world champion Springboks in South Africa.

Australia lost two home tests against South Africa and won their first test in Argentina before losing last weekend’s second test 67-27 after leading 20-3 in the 40th minute. It was the most points the Wallabies have ever conceded in a test match.

The Wallabies team will be named later Thursday.

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New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi, Tupou Vaa’i, Scott Barrett (captain), Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Sam Darry, Luke Jacobson, T.J. Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sevu Reece.

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AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby