All Blacks v Wallabies: How the Perth test match will be won – Ant Strachan

THE FACTS

Newstalk ZB rugby analyst and former All Black Ant Strachan opens his notebook to analyse the key to victory for Scott Robertson’s side in Perth.

The final round of the 2025 Rugby Championship is upon us, and while the trophy remains live, the Wallabies-All Blacks clash in Perth feels like much more than a championship determinant.

Silverware always matters – but in truth, the bigger question is whether the All Blacks can deliver back-to-back, home-and-away wins – the ultimate litmus test of growth in this new era.

The scene is set: two teams searching for their perfect performance, going head-to-head in the heat of Perth, in front of an estimated 60,000 parochial fans. For me, there are seven key points for discussion.

1. Selection decisions

The All Blacks have been forced into change, with Ethan de Groot, Beauden Barrett and Caleb Clarke hit by injury. That places real pressure on the selectors to plug critical positional roles: scrum anchor, game-driver and power wing with aerial competence.

Selection will shape not just this test, but also illustrate trust in building depth for the end-of-year tour.

2. Defence for 80 minutes

The Wallabies under Joe Schmidt will bring tempo and directness through the middle – but I believe they will also vary their attack in a way we didn’t see last week. The All Blacks must resist that accurate, high-tempo probing. Despite winning two Eden Park tests, defensive lapses have proved problematic; now, above anything else, the defensive line must be impenetrable – in an even more hostile environment.

3. Set piece in fifth gear

The lineout and the scrum showed signs of progress in Auckland, but with Rob Valetini and Will Skelton back, Perth presents another level of challenge in the set piece. In the All Blacks’ drive for consistency, this is the test of whether “promising improvement” can turn into “dominance”.

4. Clinical in the red zone

Opportunities could be scarce. The All Blacks must turn time inside the opposition 22 into points. Wasting chances could be fatal in a contest this tight.

5. Managing pressure

This won’t be the same Wallabies side as in Auckland. Expect more problem-solving moments across the park – momentum swings, forced errors, referee calls, crowd noise. The All Blacks’ ability to stay composed collectively will matter as much as individual brilliance.

6. Attack from anywhere

Confidence with ball in hand (especially running to width) was a highlight at Eden Park. Perth demands more of the same – but smarter, sharper, more varied and ruthless. Strike when it’s on and don’t be afraid to stretch the Wallabies’ defence from deep.

7. Keep evolving the aerial game

A pleasing facet in Auckland was the balance of contestable kicks and territorial pressure. That needs to continue – kicking long shouldn’t be overplayed, but used as a weapon to turn the Wallabies around, disrupt their exits and create broken-field opportunities.

8. The litmus test

Every modern-day test match carries spice, but this one is the ultimate measure: can the All Blacks go back-to-back, winning home and away, while clearly demonstrating improvement? Perth may not decide the Rugby Championship alone – but it will decide whether this All Blacks side are truly building towards a successful Northern Hemisphere tour.