Folau Fainga'a returns for Wallabies as Samu Kerevi and Izack Rodda end Test exile in Bledisloe Cup

The ACT Brumbies hooker returns to Dave Rennie's starting side for the final Test against the New Zealand All Blacks, with the Wallabies desperate to avoid a Bledisloe Cup blackout in Perth on Sunday.

Rennie has selected Samu Kerevi and Izack Rodda to end their two-year Test exiles in the clash which doubles as a Rugby Championship encounter.

But it's Fainga'a who feels he has the biggest point to prove in his first Test of the year, named in an all-Brumbies front-row alongside James Slipper and Allan Alaalatoa.

The 26-year-old was overlooked for the France series after an indifferent Super Rugby campaign with the Brumbies, and he is under no illusions as to why he missed that series.

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"I guess just falling in love with myself, I was just a bit inconsistent throughout the Super year and it bit me in the backside a bit," Fainga'a said.

"I just put my head down and worked hard, I'm grateful I got called back into the squad and I'm just making the most of my opportunity.

"It wasn't a word from Dave, I just had to have a proper look at myself in the mirror mate. I was just getting too comfortable with myself and putting myself in situations that weren't really going to happen for myself.

"It hurt, not getting called into the French series, and I had to have a proper look at myself and go away and check a few things I had to work on. I'm grateful for the position I am in now and I am just making the most of it."

Brandon Paenga-Amosa had emerged as Rennie's preferred No. 2, but he will miss this Test with a neck injury. It opens the door for Lachie Lonergan to return on the bench, with Rennie adamant Fainga'a was always going to start.

"It's no secret we had four hookers at the start of this campaign, Folau wasn't one of them," Rennie said.

"He got an opportunity through injury and then he has trained really well. We've asked to get more out of him. Training-wise, he brings really good physicality, strong set piece.

"We were very close to picking him last outing at Eden Park. It's a credit to him, he's making shifts physically, he has shown that through his performance, and we expect to see that put on the park on Sunday."

The Wallabies are looking to avoid a 3-0 series drubbing, as the Australians look to win back-to-back Tests against New Zealand at home for the first time since 2008.

Kerevi will combine with Len Ikitau in the centres as the Wallabies return to the site of their highest score in history over New Zealand, following the 47-26 victory in 2019.

Brumbies back-rower Pete Samu is also selected for his first Wallabies appearance this year, named on Rennie's bench.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has made five changes, starting all three Barrett brothers while promising his team is highly motivated to complete a clean sweep.

The only change to a settled starting forward pack is lock Scott Barrett replacing regular skipper Sam Whitelock at lock, while No.8 Ardie Savea takes over the captaincy.

Two-time world player of the year Beauden Barrett replaces Richie Mo'unga at five eighth with Brad Weber taking over from halfback Aaron Smith, getting just his second Test start ahead of the vastly-experienced TJ Perenara.

Jordie Barrett replaces Damian McKenzie at fullback while Aaron Lienart-Brown returns from injury at outside centre, pushing Rieko Ioane back to the wing.

"We really erred on the side of the most battle-hardened, recent players we had ... to make sure we've got guys that are used to this intensity," Foster said.

"I've never been a great believer in getting wound up by something someone else says. We are cognisant that [Rennie] said that we weren't committed. I'm just reassuring everyone we are.

"[The clean sweep] is certainly mentioned. It's been something that we haven't been very good at. If you look at the last 10 years, we've only clean swept them three times.

"It's certainly something we'd like to achieve."

THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP/BLEDISLOE CUP

Sunday, September 5: Australia v New Zealand at Perth Stadium, 4pm AEST.

Wallabies squad: 1. James Slipper, 2. Folau Fainga'a, 3. Allan Alaalatoa, 4. Darcy Swain, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Lachlan Swinton, 7. Michael Hooper (c), 8. Rob Valetini, 9. Tate McDermott, 10. Noah Lolesio, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Samu Kerevi, 13. Len Ikitau, 14. Andrew Kellaway, 15. Tom Banks. Replacements: 16. Lachlan Lonergan, 17. Angus Bell, 18. Taniela Tupou, 19. Izack Rodda, 20. Pete Samu, 21. Nic White, 22. Reece Hodge, 23. Jordan Petaia.

All Blacks squad: 1. George Bower, 2. Codie Taylor, 3. Nepo Laulala, 4. Brodie Retallick, 5. Scott Barrett, 6. Akira Ioane, 7. Dalton Papalii, 8. Ardie Savea (c), 9. Brad Weber, 10. Beauden Barrett, 11. Rieko Ioane, 12. David Havili, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Will Jordan, 15. Jordie Barrett. Replacements: 16. Samisoni Taukei'aho, 17. Karl Tu'inukuafe, 18. Angus Ta'avao, 19. Tupou Vaa'i, 20. Ethan Blackadder, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Damian McKenzie, 23. George Bridge.

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