All Blacks v Wallabies: Why Tyrel Lomax, Fabian Holland missed selection for first Bledisloe Cup test

All Blacks coach Dave Rennie explained that omitting veteran tighthead prop Tyrel Lomax from the matchday squad for the Bledisloe Cup test against Australia was a form-based decision. Rennie stated the coaching staff simply wants more out of Lomax, leaving him out of the 23-man squad to face the Wallabies at Eden Park. Fletcher Newell will start at tighthead prop, with Pasilio Tosi providing cover from the bench.

The lineup changes follow an injury to first five-eighth Richie Mo’unga, who was ruled out of the two-test series with a calf issue. Damian McKenzie starts at flyhalf, shifting Beauden Barrett to fullback, while lock Scott Barrett returns to make his first test appearance of the year alongside Josh Lord, resulting in Fabian Holland missing selection.