Bledisloe Cup LIVE updates: Wallabies face All Blacks in Perth

Good evening sports fans, and welcome to the live blog of tonight’s second Bledisloe Cup Test match between the Wallabies and the All Blacks at Optus Stadium in Perth.

My name is Iain Payten and on the ground in Perth is a busy man who is doing the Sheffield Shield-Bledisloe Cup double today … former NSW under 17 keeper-batsman Tom Decent.

The wretched Bledisloe is out of reach for another year, unfortunately, after the All Blacks got home in a tight one last weekend at Eden Park.

But there is still so much to play for tonight for Australia, in front a sold-out Optus Stadium.

The Rugby Championship is still attainable, but it’s a long-ish shot. Essentially Australia needs to win with a bonus point, and hope the Pumas knock over the Springboks at Twickenham, and deny the Boks a bonus point.

But the big motivation tonight is, of course, the farewell Test for legendary prop James Slipper - the most capped Wallaby in history - who bows out tonight in his 151st Test. There aren’t too many more beloved figures inside the Wallabies camp, and you can bet they’ll be busting to send Slipper out a winner, against the old enemy.

The old enemy has won a record-equalling 10 Tests in a row against the Wallabies, and another win would give them the outright mark. So avoiding that will be a big old box on the motivation page too.

I am showing my age here but I covered the last time the All Blacks were aiming for 11 straight. It was that memorable night in 2010 in Hong Kong when James O’Connor scored and then kicked a goal after the siren to win. Both JOC and Slipper were in that side, remarkably.

A win over the All Blacks would be massive for all sorts of reasons, obviously. But high up there would be banking some nice ranking points, with the seedings for the 2027 World Cup done at the end of the year. You have to be top 6 to be a top seed, and we currently sit in seventh, behind Argentina.

The Pumas beating the Springboks tomorrow morning wouldn’t be ideal.

Ok, let’s put it out to you. Who do you reckon is going to win tonight?

It’s been wet for most of the day in Perth, unfortunately, and it’s umbrella weather for all the coaches and commentators.

Head coach of the All Blacks, Scott Robertson.Credit: Getty Images

The slippery deck will slow down the pace of the game, but that’s not such a bad thing given the Wallabies have named a massive forward pack for this clash.

Will Skelton has returned from France to resume his place in the Wallabies second row, and that’s literally a big in for Australia. Skelton was immense in the Lions series, and in the Wallabies’ success in South Africa too.

The return of Rob Valetini from a calf injury is welcome news, too. But showing how well Tom Hooper is playing, big Bobby V is coming off the bench.

The Wallabies dialled up the aggression against the Lions.Credit: Getty Images

It will be a huge night for Tane Edmed at no.10, in only his second run-on Test match. He is a solid defender and stout footballer, but he’ll need to kick well and have plenty of voice in controlling the side tonight.

Here are all the teams, no word yet on late changes but we’ll keep you updated if any come through. We are expecting a kick off at around 8pm AEST.

WALLABIES (15-1): Max Jorgensen; Harry Potter, Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, Len Ikitau, Filipo Daugunu; Tane Edmed, Jake Gordon; Harry Wilson (capt), Fraser McReight, Tom Hooper; Will Skelton, Nick Frost; Allan Alaalatoa, Billy Pollard, James Slipper.

Replacements: Josh Nasser, Tom Robertson, Taniela Tupou, Jeremy Williams, Rob Valetini, Ryan Lonergan, James O’Connor, Josh Flook

ALL BLACKS (15-1): Will Jordan; Leroy Carter, Quinn Tupaea, Jordie Barrett, Leicester Fainga’anuku, Damian McKenzie, Cam Roigard; Peter Lakai, Ardie Savea, Simon Parker; Fabian Holland, Scott Barrett (capt); Fletcher Newell, Codie Taylor, Tamaiti Williams

Replacements: Samisoni Taukei’aho, George Bower, Pasilo Tosi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Wallace Sititi, Cortez Ratima, Rieko Ioane, Ruben Love

Referee: Matthew Carley (England)

Assistant Referees: Karl Dickson (England) & Morné Ferreira (South Africa)

TMO: Andrew Jackson (England)

FPRO: Marius Jonker (SARU)