Kiss vows Wallabies will 'return fire' vs All Blacks | Rennie: Quality win was coming
Australia head coach Les Kiss has vowed the Wallabies will "return fire" against the All Blacks in Saturday's return Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney, live on Sky Sports.
Key points
- Australia coach Les Kiss said the Wallabies will 'return fire' against New Zealand in Sydney on Saturday.
- New Zealand won last week's first Bledisloe Cup Test 50-19 at Eden Park, retaining the cup for a 24th year.
- Both teams made multiple changes due to injuries and suspensions ahead of the second Test.
Australia head coach Les Kiss has said the Wallabies will "return fire" when they face New Zealand in the second Bledisloe Cup Test in Sydney on Saturday, live on Sky Sports. Last week, New Zealand retained the Bledisloe Cup for a 24th year after a 50-19 win at Eden Park.
Australia led a competitive first half by a narrow margin, but New Zealand scored five second-half tries to pull away. The All Blacks lead the series 1-0.
Injury and selection changes
Australia will be without key centre Len Ikitau, who left last week's game with a head knock, while Hunter Paisami is suspended and Jordan Petaia is out with an ankle injury. Joseph-Aukuso Sua'ali'i moves from wing to outside centre, Harry Potter returns on the left wing, and Declan Meredith starts at fly-half in place of the injured Ben Donaldson. Aidan Ross and Josh Nasser start in the front row, and uncapped Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is on the bench.
New Zealand have ruled out hooker Asafo Aumua and back-row Anton Segner after failed head-injury assessments. Flanker Ethan Blackadder has a calf injury and wing Leroy Carter has a high ankle sprain. George Bower starts at loosehead prop, Fabian Holland partners Scott Barrett in the second row, and Josh Moorby is on the left wing, with five further changes among the replacements.
We'll go back and we'll work on what we have to and try and turn the dial in the right areas that can go to Sydney and return fire.
— Les Kiss
What the coaches said
Kiss said, "Belief is created and sustained by not just wins and losses, they're created by other things." He added that Australia must get their strengths into the game and nullify New Zealand's.
New Zealand head coach Dave Rennie said, "I thought a quality performance was coming, but we're also playing a really good side." He noted his team looked after the ball well and played in the right parts of the field, and expects Australia to bounce back.
