Ben Donaldson injury forces Wallabies fly-half change for All Blacks Test

Ben Donaldson has been ruled out of Australia’s second Bledisloe Cup Test against New Zealand, with Declan Meredith promoted to start at fly-half in Sydney on Saturday.

Donaldson has a minor upper-leg injury affecting his kicking leg and did not come through Thursday’s training session. Uncapped Harry McLaughlin-Phillips has been named on the bench.

Head coach Les Kiss said Australia had given Donaldson an opportunity to prove his fitness before deciding against risking him.

“We just felt it’s not worth the risk for him, for the team, so we just moved on quickly,” Kiss said, as reported by Rugby.com.au.

Ben Donaldson injury gives Meredith first Bledisloe start

Meredith will make his first Bledisloe Cup start alongside Brumbies team-mate Ryan Lonergan, providing an established club partnership at half-back.

Australia have also moved Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii back to outside centre following Len Ikitau’s concussion absence. Isaac Henry starts at inside centre, with Harry Potter coming into the side on the left wing.

Aidan Ross and Josh Nasser start in the front row, while lock Lukhan Salakaia-Loto is set to win his 50th cap.

All Blacks make three starting changes

New Zealand have confirmed three changes to their starting XV, bringing in George Bower, Fabian Holland and Josh Moorby. Damian McKenzie remains at fly-half, with Beauden Barrett at full-back.

The All Blacks have already retained the trophy after their 50–19 victory at Eden Park, when Australia conceded five second-half tries.

The Wallabies can still level the two-match series at Accor Stadium on Saturday 17 October, their final home Test of 2026.