New Zealand v Australia LIVE: Latest updates as All Blacks battle Wallabies in first Bledisloe Cup clash

World Rugby has announced that it will crack down on the so-called “hip-drop” tackle from November as it looks to protect player welfare.

The technique that sees a tackler from behind drop their body weight on the lower limbs of a ball carrier was outlawed by the National Football League (NFL) two years ago, and rugby union’s lawmakers have now followed suit.

These two will meet in the pool stages of next year’s World Cup, making these next couple of weeks fascinating. We had a go recently at power ranking the contenders for that tournament…

It could be a fascinating clash in Auckland, with the Wallabies buoyed by their showing against South Africa but entering the All Blacks’ fortress. Can they claim back the cup?

Scott and Beauden Barrett have been recalled to the New Zealand side to take on Australia in the first of back-to-back Bledisloe Cup clashes, with Damian McKenzie stationed at fly half in the absence of Ruben Love and Richie Mo’unga.

Love will miss the remainder of the year due to injury and has been joined on the sidelines by Mo’unga, who suffered a small tear in his calf on Tuesday and has been ruled out of both games against the Wallabies.

A busy year of international action for the All Blacks continues with the first of back-to-back Bledisloe Cup clashes with Australia. New Zealand have held the trans-Tasman prize since 2002 – but could this be the year their supremacy comes to an end?

Kick off at Eden Park is at 7.10am BST.