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Ikitau gives Wallabies a massive boost as McReight hails Rennie’s tough love

Len Ikitau has overcome injury and is set to line up at Eden Park against an All Blacks side coached by the same man who gave him his first Test cap as a Wallaby.

Published: Tuesday, 6 October 2026 at 4:42 AM
Ikitau gives Wallabies a massive boost as McReight hails Rennie’s tough love
Key Things to Know
  • Len Ikitau has recovered from an ankle injury to start for Australia, as Fraser McReight praised former coach Dave Rennie.
  • Ikitau will play at inside centre to cover for the suspended Hunter Paisami, with Isaac Henry starting at outside centre.
  • Dave Rennie will coach the All Blacks against the Wallabies, having given Test debuts to 11 current Australian squad members.
The Story in 60 Seconds

Centre Len Ikitau has overcome an ankle injury to return for the Wallabies ahead of their Bledisloe Cup clash against the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday. Ikitau will shift to inside centre to replace the suspended Hunter Paisami, while Isaac Henry enters the starting lineup at outside centre. Flanker Fraser McReight credited tough lessons from former Australia coach Dave Rennie, who will now coach New Zealand.

The fixture marks the first Bledisloe Cup match featuring a former Wallabies coach leading New Zealand. Rennie previously handed Test debuts to 11 players in Australia's current squad. Although Australia brings an unbeaten six-match streak into Auckland, the Wallabies are looking to snap a 24-match losing run at Eden Park dating back to 1986.

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