What time is New Zealand v Australia kick-off and what TV channel is it on? - Wales Online

2022-09-24 09:20:42 By : Ms. Rebecca Xue

The final round of matches begins with this mammoth clash

The Rugby Championship will reach its climax this weekend, with just five points separating all four teams.

An almighty clash kicks off proceedings on Saturday morning, with New Zealand hosting Australia after their incredibly controversial victory over the Wallabies last week.

The tournament has been hugely dramatic thus far, and the final round of fixtures is bound to provide the drama yet again.

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New Zealand v Australia kicks off at 8.05am UK time at Eden Park in Auckland, New Zealand.

New Zealand v Australia will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Arena from 8am. You can live stream the game with a NOW TV day pass, which starts at £11.99.

New Zealand have made six changes since last week's dramatic victory in Australia.

Kiwi skipper Sam Cane misses out on Bledisloe II through injury, which means Ardie Savea shifts over to number eight with Dalton Papali'i slotting in at openside.

With David Havili injured, last week's match-winner Jordie Barrett comes into the midfield at inside centre, and is partnered with Rieko Ioane.

Darcy Swain has been handed a six-week ban from playing rugby after his dangerous clear-out on All Black Quinn Tupaea last week, so misses out.

Cadeyrn Neville returns to the starting XV in what will be his first Test match since July against England.

With Rob Leota out with injury, Harry Wilson comes in at number eight, with Rob Valetini shifting over to blindside flanker.

NEW ZEALAND: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Richie Mo'unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 1 Ethan De Groot, 2 Codie Taylor, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 4 Brodie Rettallick, 5 Sam Whitelock (C), 6 Akira Ioane, 7 Dalton Papali'i, 8 Ardie Savea.

REPLACEMENTS: 16 Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17 Ofa Tu'ungafasi, 18 Nepo Laulala, 19 Tupou Vaa'i, 20 Hoskins Sotutu, 21 Finlay Christie, 22 Roger Tuivasa-Sheck, 23 Sevu Reece.

AUSTRALIA: 15 Andrew Kellaway, 14 Tom Wright, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Lalakai Foketi, 11 Marika Koroibete; 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Jake Gordon, 1 James Slipper (C), 2 David Porecki, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Jed Holloway, 5 Cadeyrn Neville, 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Pete Samu, 8 Harry Wilson.

REPLACEMENTS: 16 Folau Fainga'a, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Pone Fa'amausili, 19 Nick Frost, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Nic White, 22 Reece Hodge, 23 Jordan Petaia.

Assistant Referee 1: Mathieu Raynal (FFR)

Assistant Referee 2: Pierre Brousset (FFR)

New Zealand head coach Ian Foster on picking Jordie Barrett at 12: “It’s based on the experience they had last week.

“We just felt they can start at a high level because they’ve just had the best part of 60 minutes of a Test match so that combination’s a bit stronger.

“The learnings and experience they had there, just flow through to this game and (we’ll) maybe make some changes later on.”

Australia head coach Dave Rennie: “Rieko Ioane had a lot to say to our boys after the final try, mouthing off at Folau Fainga’a around disrespecting the haka.

"Which is a bit odd because as New Zealanders would know, when a team does a haka you respond with a haka.

“We don’t have the luxury of having a haka so our response is (to get) in the boomerang shape and to move forward. They’ve thrown down a challenge and we’re accepting it.”

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