Bledisloe Cup 2026: can the Wallabies shock the All Blacks?

Bledisloe Cup 2026 is here, and it feels like a proper moment. Australia have momentum, New Zealand have pressure, and Eden Park is set for a huge test with bragging rights and a full year of needling on the line.

David Pembroke, Steve Hansen and Ewen McKenzie break down the Wallabies and All Blacks selections, what Scott Barrett brings back to New Zealand, and where the game gets decided: lineout, scrum, breakdown, aerial contest, and the advantage line. There’s also a big chat on Roigard vs Lonergan, the risk of yellow cards and TMO intervention, why this match matters for Australian rugby crowds, plus questions on Jorgensen at 10, the global season debate (Six Nations), and World Rugby’s push into the USA.

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In this episode:

00:00 🏆 Bledisloe Cup 2026 opens with David Pembroke
01:05 🇦🇺 Ewen McKenzie on Bledisloe meaning for Australia
04:05 🇳🇿 Steve Hansen: Bledisloe is NZ’s second biggest trophy
07:00 📉 Australia task: Bledisloe means beating All Blacks twice
07:40 🧱 Wallabies selection: Tupou, Hooper outs and bench depth
10:05 🔁 All Blacks selection with Dave Rennie and Graham Henry
11:55 🧠 Scott Barrett impact: lineout calling and calm influence
17:20 🛡️ How Wallabies win: set piece, breakdown, take points
19:05 🛰️ Aerial contest: Sua’ali’i targeting McKenzie and Jordan
22:20 ⚙️ How All Blacks win: set piece, midfield, advantage line
28:10 🐎 Roigard vs Lonergan: nines battle and dummy-and-go threat
31:10 📈 Why this Bledisloe matters for Australian rugby momentum
36:10 😬 All Blacks anxiety: NZ expectations after Springboks losses
44:10 🟨 Yellow cards and TMO risk in Bledisloe Cup spotlight
47:50 ❓ Question: Jorgensen at 10 and Larkham experiment debate
52:40 🌍 Global season clash: Six Nations and World Rugby alignment
58:50 🇺🇸 USA growth: World Rugby market play vs Europe options
01:03:20 💥 RUPA comments: World Cup hosting fee and player payments
01:24:20 🏉 World Rugby Challenger Series fixtures and wrap up

Call to action:

📌 Who wins at Eden Park: Wallabies by a couple, or All Blacks by finishers?

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