Wallabies reshape bench for Bledisloe Cup rematch after Eden Park defeat

Australia arrived in Auckland trying to overturn two long-running disappointments: their Bledisloe Cup drought and their record at Eden Park. Ahead of the October 10 Test, ABC Australia reported that the Wallabies were seeking their first win over the All Blacks at the ground since 1986.

There was confidence under new coach Les Kiss, according to the Sydney Morning Herald. Australia kept Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii on the wing and named Isaac Henry in the centres, ABC Australia reported on October 8.

The opening half on October 10 left the contest close. New Zealand led 17-14 at the break, according to the BBC, with Australia still within reach of an upset.

That changed sharply after halftime. The All Blacks scored 33 points to Australia's five after the interval, finishing 50-19 winners and retaining the trophy. World News CNA described the decisive passage as a second-half blitz.

New Zealand finished with seven tries, scored by Lakai, Vaai, Roigard, Taylor, Carter, Moorby and Jordan. Australia's three came through Wright, Wilson and Nasser, according to the BBC.

The result ended Kiss' unbeaten run as Wallabies coach, the Sydney Morning Herald reported. By October 12, Australia's attention had turned to using the return match in Sydney to respond to the defeat, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

On October 14, the Sydney Morning Herald reported that Kiss had moved Angus Bell to the bench to help prevent another second-half fade. Carter Gordon was also due to undergo a fitness test within 48 hours.

The Bledisloe Cup is staying with New Zealand, regardless of the Sydney result. Australia can still answer the Auckland defeat, but the return match cannot deliver the trophy they had hoped to reclaim, as the BBC reported after the first Test.

Both teams have availability concerns. World News CNA reported on October 11 that four All Blacks had been ruled out of the second Test. On October 15, World News CNA reported a Donaldson injury as a late blow for the Wallabies.

Australia's immediate questions are Gordon's fitness and the implications of the Donaldson injury. The bench reshuffle also gives Saturday's Sydney rematch a specific test: whether Bell's later introduction can help Australia avoid the drop-off that proved so costly in Auckland, the stated aim reported by the Sydney Morning Herald.

The Australia-New Zealand World Cup result appearing alongside this coverage is a separate event. Australia's 24-22 victory was in rugby league, according to Sky Sports, not the Bledisloe Cup.