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Australia vs New Zealand Rugby Union: Bledisloe Cup Game 2
Australia vs New Zealand Rugby Union: Bledisloe Cup Game 2
Australia vs New Zealand rugby union returns to Sydney for the second 2026 Bledisloe Cup Test on Saturday, October 17. The Wallabies and All Blacks have named their match-day squads. New Zealand already retained the Bledisloe Cup after winning Game 1, 50–19, so Saturday’s match is not a trophy decider. As of October 16, the second Test has not started and its final score is not available.
Australia vs New Zealand: match details at a glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Match | Bledisloe Cup Game 2, Wallabies vs All Blacks |
| Date | Saturday, October 17, 2026 |
| Venue | Accor Stadium, Sydney Olympic Park, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Kickoff listed by Rugby Australia, Ticketmaster, and the venue | 3:45 p.m. Sydney time, AEDT (UTC+11:00); 04:45 UTC on October 17 |
| Game 1 result | New Zealand 50, Australia 19, at Eden Park on October 10 |
| Game 2 result | Pending; the match is scheduled for October 17 |
Kickoff-time note: Rugby Australia, Ticketmaster’s event listing, and the Sydney Olympic Park event page list a 3:45 p.m. start in Sydney. That is AEDT (UTC+11:00) on October 17, or 04:45 UTC. The All Blacks team announcement lists 4:00 p.m. local time, so official listings differ by 15 minutes. Check the host or venue listing before traveling. New South Wales daylight saving began on October 4, 2026, putting Sydney on AEDT for this match; see the state government’s daylight saving information.
What Game 2 means for the Bledisloe Cup
New Zealand took the first Test 50–19 at Eden Park on October 10. The result secured the trophy for the All Blacks, who extended their run of Bledisloe Cup ownership to a 24th consecutive year. That makes Game 2 a chance to finish the two-Test contest strongly rather than a match that can change who holds the Cup.
For Australia, the Sydney Test is an opportunity to answer the Auckland defeat in front of a home crowd and avoid closing the Bledisloe schedule with two losses. For New Zealand, it is a chance to follow up the trophy-clinching performance with another win. The first-Test score is confirmed; a Game 2 final score cannot be reported until the match is played. The official Game 1 match report records the 50–19 result and the Cup outcome.
Confirmed Wallabies team for Bledisloe Cup Game 2
Australia captain Harry Wilson leads the starting XV. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is set to make his 50th Test appearance, while reserve Harry McLaughlin-Phillips is in line for a potential Test debut, according to Rugby Australia’s team announcement.
Starting XV
- Aidan Ross
- Josh Nasser
- Allan Alaalatoa
- Jeremy Williams
- Lukhan Salakaia-Loto
- Rob Valetini
- Fraser McReight
- Harry Wilson (captain)
- Ryan Lonergan
- Declan Meredith
- Harry Potter
- Isaac Henry
- Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii
- Max Jorgensen
- Tom Wright
Reserves
- Billy Pollard
- Angus Bell
- Massimo De Lutiis
- Josh Canham
- Carlo Tizzano
- Kalani Thomas
- Harry McLaughlin-Phillips
- Filipo Daugunu
There are two changes in Australia’s starting front row. Suaalii moves to outside center, and Declan Meredith replaces Ben Donaldson, who was unavailable with a minor upper-leg injury. McLaughlin-Phillips’ place among the reserves gives him a chance to earn his first Test cap if selected to enter the game.
Confirmed All Blacks team for the Sydney Test
New Zealand captain Codie Taylor leads the starting side. The All Blacks made three changes to the starting XV from Game 1, with George Bower, Fabian Holland, and Josh Moorby coming in. The team announcement says there are eight changes across the full 23-player squad.
Starting XV
- George Bower
- Codie Taylor (captain)
- Fletcher Newell
- Scott Barrett
- Fabian Holland
- Tupou Vaa’i
- Peter Lakai
- Wallace Sititi
- Cam Roigard
- Damian McKenzie
- Josh Moorby
- Jordie Barrett
- Quinn Tupaea
- Will Jordan
- Beauden Barrett
Reserves
- Samisoni Taukei’aho
- Xavier Numia
- Pasilio Tosi
- Shannon Frizell
- Du’Plessis Kirifi
- Cortez Ratima
- Timoci Tavatavanawai
- Rieko Ioane
What to watch during Australia vs New Zealand
- Australia’s response after Auckland: The Wallabies scored 19 points in Game 1. The Sydney match shows whether they can turn home advantage into a closer contest.
- New Zealand’s reshuffled lineup: Bower, Holland, and Moorby are the new starters named for Game 2. How the revised combinations settle in is one of the selection questions to follow.
- Milestones and first appearances: Salakaia-Loto is named for his 50th Test. McLaughlin-Phillips is an uncapped reserve, so his debut remains a possibility rather than a confirmed appearance.
- The result status: The Bledisloe Cup holder is already decided for 2026, but the match result is not. Treat any pre-kickoff score claim as unconfirmed.
Quick checklist for readers and fans
- Use Sydney’s match date and timezone: Saturday, October 17, AEDT (UTC+11:00).
- Rugby Australia, Ticketmaster, and the venue list kickoff at 3:45 p.m.; the All Blacks announcement lists 4:00 p.m. local.
- New Zealand won Game 1, 50–19, and has already retained the Bledisloe Cup.
- The official Game 2 lineups are listed above; the final score is pending until play concludes.
For the latest fixture and match-day updates, use the official Rugby Australia team page, All Blacks team page, and the stadium’s event information.
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