{
  "id": 14594405,
  "title": "Wallabies show faith in rookie fly half for final All Blacks Test",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/wallabies-show-faith-in-rookie-fly-half-for-final-all-blacks-test-14594405",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-15T02:34:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ABC News AU",
    "slug": "abc-news-au",
    "url": "https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-10-15/wallabies-all-blacks-bledisloe-cup-declan-meredith-/107269916"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Declan Meredith will take the field at fly half for the Wallabies during their final Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks. This marks Meredith's fourth Test appearance at fly half, replacing Ben Donaldson, who will miss the game due to a minor upper leg injury. Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, a reserve fly half, will make his Test debut if called upon as a substitute. Harry Potter will serve as the starting wing, while Isaac Henry and Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii switch positions, with Suaalii returning to the center's role. The Wallabies have also shifted Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii from the wing to the center due to the absence of Len Ikitau, who is sidelined with a concussion. Additional changes include Allan Alaalatoa starting at fullback, with Rob Valetini replacing him, and Billy Pollard joining the squad as a reserve. Les Kiss, the Wallabies' coach, emphasized the team's dedication to improvement and preparation for the historic quadruple-header match at Stadium Australia.",
  "summary": "Declan Meredith has been named to start at fly half for the Wallabies in Saturday's final Bledisloe Cup Test against the All Blacks at Sydney's Stadium Australia. According to ABC News, Meredith replaces Ben Donaldson, who has been ruled out due to a minor upper leg injury sustained following the recent match at Eden Park. This will be only the fourth Test appearance in Meredith's career.\n\nThe Wallabies have also made adjustments to their midfield, moving Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii back to the centres after he started on the wing for the previous two Tests. ABC News reports that this change follows the absence of Len Ikitau due to concussion.\n\nAdditional changes to the match-day squad include reserve scrum half Kalani Thomas, who has yet to play a Bledisloe Cup Test. If he enters the match as a reserve, back-up fly half Harry McLaughlin-Phillips will make his Test debut. Meredith will play alongside Brumbies teammate and scrum half Ryan Lonergan.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 3,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "ABC News",
        "title": "Wallabies show faith in rookie fly half for final All Blacks Test",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/wallabies-show-faith-in-rookie-fly-half-for-final-all-blacks-test",
        "published": "2026-10-15T02:34:00.000Z"
      },
      {
        "outlet": "New Straits Times",
        "title": "Wallabies back Meredith as playmaker for second New Zealand Test",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/15/wallabies-back-meredith-as-playmaker-for-second-new-zealand-test",
        "published": "2026-10-15T02:42:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}