Bledisloe Cup 2020: All Blacks make changes for second Wallabies test

The All Blacks have made five changes to their starting side for the second Bledisloe Cup test against the Wallabies at Coopers Catch Park - aka Eden Park - on Sunday. 

Aiming to bounce back from last weekend's drawn 16-16 test at Sky Stadium last week, coach Ian Foster has some selection and injury-enforced changes to his starting XV.

There have been two changes in the forwards and two in the backs, the most notable being Anthon Lienert-Brown coming in for Rieko Ioane in the midfield.

Ioane was heavily criticised for a huge error in the drawn test, where he failed to control the ball in the act of scoring when the All Blacks were leading 8-3 late in the first half. 

Beauden Barrett returns to the side after withdrawing before the first Bledsloe test due to an Achilles injury, while Caleb Clarke earns his first test start on the left wing, replacing George Bridge who is out of action for six months with a pectoral injury.

In the forwards, lock Tupou Vaa'i earns his first test start, replacing Sam Whitelock, who has been ruled out with concussion symptoms. Dane Coles also comes into the starting side at hooker in place of Codie Taylor. 

Bledisloe Cup 2020: All Blacks make changes for second Wallabies test

On the bench, Scott Barrett makes his rugby return after a four-month injury layoff while prop Alex Hodgeman is in line for his test debut. 

Foster is determined for the All Blacks to put in a good performance in their final home test of the season.

"Our preparation this week has been really good," says Foster. 

"It was our first test together last weekend and while there were some aspects of our game that we were pretty excited about, especially around our set piece, we didn't get the performance that we wanted, so there has been plenty for us to work on. 

"We need to be smarter with our ball and more focussed defensively.

"The Bledisloe series is back to square one and starts again this weekend, which is exciting.  "It's the last test at home for us so there will also be massive excitement amongst our fans.  There is everything to play for and we can't wait."

The All Blacks have not lost a match at Eden Park since 1994, against France - a stretch of 43 consecutive test matches, including the 2011 World Cup final, while the Wallabies haven't won at the Auckland stadium since 1986. 

All Blacks: 1-Joe Moody, 2-Dane Coles, 3-Ofa Tuungafasi, 4-Patrick Tuipulotu, 5-Tupou Vaa'i, 6-Shannon Frizell, 7-Sam Cane (c), 8-Ardie Savea, 9-Aaron Smith, 10-Richie Mo'unga, 11-Caleb Clarke, 12-Jack Goodhue, 13-Anton Lienert-Brown,  14-Jordie Barrett, 15-Beauden Barrett

Reserves: 16-Codie Taylor, 17-Alex Hodgman, 18-Nepo Laulala, 19-Scott Barrett, 20- Hoskins Sotutu, 21-TJ Perenara, 22-Rieko Ioane, 23-Damian McKenzie

Join us at 4pm Sunday for live updates of the second All Blacks v Wallabies Bledisloe Cup test