Australia coach Les Kiss is adamant he retains “a lot of faith” in his playing group as they look to bounce back from a crushing Bledisloe Cup defeat and snap a 12-game losing streak against the All Blacks on Saturday.
“This is an opportunity for other guys to be feeling it, tasting what Test rugby is about,” Kiss told reporters on why he opted against more experience. “There’s a lot of young boys in this group that are getting good minutes and anytime we can spend playing against the Wallabies or touring, it’s just going to put us in better stead going forward,” said star midfielder Jordie Barrett. The Wallabies went into their clash against New Zealand at Eden Park last week on an unbeaten six-match run and with confidence high. Fly-half Ben Donaldson has been ruled out of the return game at Stadium Australia in Sydney, the same venue the teams will meet in the pool stage of the Rugby World Cup next year. He is one of four changes to the starting side with prop Aidan Ross preferred to Angus Bell and fit-again hooker Josh Nasser replacing Brandon Paenga-Amosa. In the absence of the centre Len Ikitau, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii shifts to outside centre, partnering Isaac Henry in the midfield, with Harry Potter coming into the side on the left wing.
Barrett was also instrumental with his work in the air and the 86-Test veteran wants to see more of the same, urging the team to keep their focus despite the Bledisloe Cup already retained.
