Australia v England LIVE rugby: Result and reaction as England win deciding Test

Late changes for the All Blacks were lagged in the media a couple of days ago but have only officially been confirmed today. Scott Barrett has barely trained and has unsurprisngly been ruled out, granting Akira Ioane a promotion to provide a different, perhaps more explosive threat at blindside flanker. Tupou Vaa’i is a late addition to the replacements.

Angus Ta’avao is suspended after his sending off last weekend, so in steps the steady Nepo Laulala at tighthead, while Aidan Ross is another late scratch – now on the bench is Karl Tu’inukuafe to cover loosehead.

Perhaps with a view to presenting different questions in attack, David Havili replaces Quinn Tupaea in midfield, while Will Jordan starts on the wing. Dane Coles will be back amongst things from the bench but the name that catches the eye among the replacements is Roger Tuivasa-Sheck. The former rugby league superstar enjoyed a solid first season with the Blues and is set for international honours in a second code.

New Zealand XV: Bower, Taylor, Laulala; Retallick, Whitelock; A Ioane, Cane (c), Savea; Smith, B Barrett; Jordan, Havili, R Ioane, Reece; J Barrett.

Replacements: Coles, Tu’inukuafe, Tu’ungafasi, Vaa’i, Papalii; Fakatava, Mo’unga, Tuivasa-Sheck.

Morning! Well this is all rather tasty, isn’t it? The last Saturday of this summer swing and four deciding encounters to fill the day, beginning at the Cake Tin in windy Wellington, where Ireland are in search of yet more history - and the pressure is very much on the All Blacks, who have been forced into late alterations...

Sexton seeks milestone

While there is understandably more focus on the bigger picture, this weekend is likely to bring a major personal milestone in the career of Johnny Sexton.

The Ireland skipper, who celebrated his 37th birthday on Monday, is closing in on becoming only the second man to reach 1,000 points in the green jersey. He has already managed 78 points against the All Blacks and requires just six more to make it to four figures overall.

Only Ronan O’Gara (1,083) has managed more. Sexton holds a better points-per-game average than former fly-half rival O’Gara and, on the occasion of his 108th cap – moving him level with Paul O’Connell – will be desperate to drive his team to glory.

Better than a World Cup semi-final?

Ireland’s failure to so far reach a World Cup semi-final is well-documented. Yet Irish great Brian O’Driscoll believes a tour triumph over the All Blacks would be a greater achievement.

The Kiwis were the most-recent side to deny Ireland a maiden last-four appearance, thanks to a 46-14 win in Japan three years ago. Retired centre O’Driscoll feels joining the exclusive list of teams to have enjoyed series success in New Zealand would represent “tangible” reward for Farrell’s men and could be worn as a badge of honour.

With a World Cup quarter-final rematch against New Zealand a possibility next year in France, victory would certainly enhance growing belief within the Irish ranks.

Pressure mounting on All Blacks coach

Ian Foster has turned to experience in a bid to avoid an upset as he battles to convince the expectant New Zealand public of his capabilities.

The Kiwi head coach has come under fire on the back of three defeats from his last four Tests. Influential lock Sam Whitelock returns from concussion to strengthen a pack further bolstered by tighthead prop Nepo Laulala, while centre David Havili and winger Will Jordan are finally fit to start following bouts of coronavirus.

Although Foster – who served as assistant under predecessor Steve Hansen – has his critics, the current media consensus suggests his job is not on the line just yet.

More history in the making?

New Zealand have not suffered a series defeat on home soil since losing 2-0 to France 28 years ago. Following an alarming start to their tour, Ireland responded in style to wrestle the momentum from their formidable hosts and stand a genuine chance of achieving one of international rugby’s rarest feats.

The Irish have now won four of the past seven meetings between the two nations to significantly lessen – if not dispel – the fear factor of taking on the All Blacks.

Head coach Andy Farrell says the opportunity for his side is “like gold dust” and hopes the “best is saved till last”. Emulating the exploits of the 1994 French team will move Ireland to the top of the world rankings, above Les Bleus.

Full-back Jordie Barrett is confident New Zealand can bounce back to secure series success against Ireland after their second-Test loss led to some serious soul-searching.

The All Blacks blitzed the Irish 42-19 in the Auckland opener a fortnight ago but were powerless to prevent last weekend’s dispiriting 23-12 defeat in Dunedin levelling matters at 1-1.

New Zealand have not lost a home series since 1994 and face a battle to maintain that record in Saturday’s crunch clash in Wellington.

“It is our turn to respond now,” said 25-year-old Barrett. “We feel a lot of it is in our control and we can influence this match.

“We’ve got to put the performance on the park and get the job done because it’s not going to be easy.”

Native New Zealander James Lowe admits he never envisaged returning for a shot at tour success over the All Blacks when he left his homeland for Ireland.

Winger Lowe, who previously represented the Maori All Blacks, switched international allegiance under residency rules in 2020, three years after joining Leinster from Hamilton-based club the Chiefs.

The 30-year-old, who was among the try scorers when the All Blacks were defeated 29-20 in Dublin last autumn, has been selected to start all three Tests and is eager to once again “knock over” the All Blacks.

Andy Farrell warned there is more to come from Ireland as he urged his players to “bring a bit of chaos” to New Zealand’s game plan during today’s decisive Test.

The Irish created history last weekend by winning away to the All Blacks for the first time to level the series at 1-1 and set up a crunch clash in Wellington.

Head coach Farrell is braced for a backlash from the three-time world champions but hopes the “best is saved till last” as his side seek to complete a landmark tour triumph.

“Everyone realises the size of the task in hand but there’s a lot of excitement in being able to deal with that,” he said.

“The best part of where we’re at is we know we can do better. Albeit we had a decent result in the last Test, hopefully our best is saved till last.”

New Zealand head coach Ian Foster insists difficult weeks are “often the most exciting” after making four personnel changes for Saturday’s crunch showdown with Ireland.

Foster is under increasing pressure in his homeland ahead of the decider in Wellington, having now overseen three defeats from his last four matches.

The 57-year-old has responded to the 23-12 reverse in Dunedin, which followed a 42-19 win in Auckland, by recalling veteran lock Sam Whitelock after concussion, in addition to bolstering his forward pack with tighthead prop Nepo Laulala.

Winger Will Jordan, who scored the Kiwis’ second try after coming off the bench in the second Test, and centre David Havili have also been restored to the starting XV following recent bouts of coronavirus.

“It’s tough having a loss but the tough weeks are often the most exciting,” Foster told the All Blacks’ website. “A series decider against a high-quality side is a great occasion for our growth as a team.”

New Zealand: 15. Jordie Barrett, 14. Will Jordan, 13. Rieko Ioane, 12. David Havili, 11. Sevu Reece, 10. Beauden Barrett, 9. Aaron Smith; 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Sam Whitelock, 6. Akira Ioane, 7. Sam Cane (captain), 8. Ardie Savea

Replacements: 16. Dane Coles, 17. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18. Ofa Tuungafasi, 19. Tupou Vaa’i, 20. Dalton Papalii, 21. Folau Fakatava, 22. Richie Mo’unga, 23. Roger Tuivasa-Sheck