BPA & White among four Force Wallabies for Bledisloe Cup clash

Number 8 joins fullback Kurtley Beale in Dave Rennie’s squad for the first time since 2021

Services stars Gordon and Holloway add further strength and depth the Wallabies pack

Wallabies coach Dave Rennie has recalled Western Force duo Brad Pope and Bayley Kuenzle to his squad for the upcoming Bledisloe Cup clash against New Zealand in Melbourne on August 27.

Number eight Pope, hooker Folau Fainga’a and fullback Kurtley Beale have not played for the Wallabies since last year’s series against France, while Kuenzle will make his Test debut after being called up for the first time.

The quartet join ACT Brumbies duo Tom Wright and Rob Valetini, Queensland Reds halfback Tate McDermott, NSW Waratahs lock Jed Holloway and Melbourne Rebels prop Pone Fa’amausili as the new faces in Rennie’s 35-man squad for the opening match of the four-part series at Marvel Stadium.

There are also recalls for Rebels backrower Rob Leota, Reds hooker Alex Mafi and Brumbies lock Nick Frost, who all featured at different stages during the Wallabies’ series defeat to England in July.

James Slipper will captain the Wallabies for the fourth time in Melbourne and will become just the sixth player in Australian history to reach 100 Tests.

The Wallabies will need to be at their best to beat a New Zealand side fresh from a 2-1 series win over Ireland.

The All Blacks have won the Bledisloe Cup for the past 20 years and will be looking to extend their dominance in Melbourne.

The Wallabies will have their work cut out for them, but they will be confident of causing an upset after a strong showing against England.

The Bledisloe Cup clash between the Wallabies and New Zealand is always a highly anticipated event, and the upcoming match in Melbourne is sure to be no different.

Both teams will be looking to make a statement in the opening match of the series, and the Wallabies will be hoping to end New Zealand’s long winning streak.