New Zealand snapped a two-game losing streak with a nail-biting 31-28 win over Australia on Saturday, holding off a second-half charge to retain the Bledisloe Cup.

Ethan de Groot is fit to return from a neck injury and starts at loosehead for New Zealand, while Beauden Barrett is also brought back into the run-on side. The eldest Barrett brother’s inclusion sees Will Jordan shift to the right wing, and Pasilio Tosi is set for only a second cap as the reserve tighthead.

Australia and New Zealand will look to salvage difficult Rugby Championship campaigns as they meet in the first of back-to-back Bledisloe Cup clashes.

The All Blacks led 21-0 after 15 minutes but faltered badly in the second half, only just holding on with 13 men at one point to beat Australia 31-28 in the first Bledisloe Cup test.

By Priscilla Jepchumba New Zealand held on to a narrow win in Sydney against Australia. Despite a thrilling comeback from the hosts, New Zealand continued its d

New Zealand scored four tries in the first 20 minutes and held off an Australian fightback with 13 men late on to beat the Wallabies 31-28 in a Rugby Championship test at Stadium Australia on Saturday.

The Bledisloe Cup will remain in New Zealand for a 23rd straight year after the All Blacks beat the Wallabies 31-28 in a Rugby Championship thriller in Sydney.