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STATCHAT: HISTORY OF THE INVESTEC RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP IN NUMBERS

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SAMMY’S TON
Sam Whitelock will become just the eighth All Black to play 100 Tests when he takes the field in Sydney. Since making his debut against Ireland in 2010, Whitelock has become New Zealand’s most capped lock and has forged a reputation as one of the best second rowers in the world game. It’s fitting that he will partnered by Brodie Retallick who is back for his first Test in almost 12 months. Whitelock and Retallick will be starting their 47th Test as a locking partnership – only Robin Brooke and Ian Jones have combined for more Tests for the All Blacks.

#TBT to Samuel Whitelock’s debut season with the #AllBlacks in 2010. This weekend, Whitelock will become the eighth All Black to play ?? Tests.

MORE ?? https://t.co/8fIcpCKgxc pic.twitter.com/59HPx84Dju— All Blacks (@AllBlacks) August 15, 2018

BREAKDOWN BATTLE
After missing 2017 due to a sabbatical, world class pilferer David Pocock is back to partner Michael Hooper and the powerful Lukhan Tui in the Wallabies loose forward trio. It shapes as an intriguing battle in the loose against the All Blacks trio of Sam Cane, Kieran Read and Liam Squire. As a master of slowing down the ball at the breakdown, Pocock will be responsible for upsetting the All Blacks tempo while Hooper will pounce on any turnover opportunities. Tui offers power running and another lineout option to complete an accomplished loose forward combination for the Wallabies.

LAST TIME
The Wallabies stunned the All Blacks 23-18 in Brisbane last October for their first win over the All Blacks since 2015.