WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — Fullback Beauden Barrett will return to the starting 15 in the All Blacks team that will play Australia in the Rugby Championship and Bledisloe Cup test in Sydney on Saturday.
Barrett was named on the bench for the second test against South Africa in Cape Town two weeks ago as head coach Scott Robertson tried to add experience to solve New Zealand's problem with closing out matches.
Click to Gallery
New Zealand's Cortez Ratima, left, and South Africa's Grant Williams, center, go for possession of the ball during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium, South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht))
Argentina's Los Pumas Juan Cruz Mallia, center, is tackled by Australia's Marika Koroibete, second right, during a rugby championship test match in Santa Fe, Argentina, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mateo Occhi)
Australia's Ben Donaldson, center, is tackled by Argentina's Los Pumas Juan Martin Gonzalez during a rugby championship test match in Santa Fe, Argentina, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mateo Occhi)
New Zealand's Codie Taylor, makes off with the ball during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)
Argentina's Los Pumas Joaquin Oviedo runs with the ball to score a try against Australia during a rugby championship test match in Santa Fe, Argentina, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mateo Occhi)
New Zealand's Scott Barrett, left, tackles South Africa's Ox Nche during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)
The move was unsuccessful as the Springboks rallied to win the match 18-12 after also coming from behind to win the first test 31-27.
Barrett's return forces Will Jordan, who started at fullback in Cape Town, to return to the right wing.
In the other change to the All Blacks lineup, Ethan de Groot returns from injury at looshead prop, forcing Tamaiti Williams to the bench and Caleb Clarke is named on the left wing after overcoming a back injury.
Scrumhalf T.J. Perenara who also was named on the bench for the second Springboks test remains among the reserves as Cortez Ratima retains the starting role in his sixth test.
“We have selected an experienced team which has combinations that have played some of our best rugby this season," Robertson said. “The Bledisloe Cup is so revered by both of these teams, we are expecting a classic showdown against our Australian rivals.
"We have acknowledged the rich history of the Cup this week as a team and recognize that history does not bestow any rights. The Bledisloe Cup is always hard-earned and each year is its own chapter in the Bledisloe story.”
The All Blacks have held the Bledisloe Cup since 2003.
There will be heavy pressure on both teams in Saturday's test as they share 1-3 records in this season's Rugby Championship. The All Blacks had a win and a loss against Argentina in New Zealand then lost twice to the world champion Springboks in South Africa.
Australia lost two home tests against South Africa and won their first test in Argentina before losing last weekend's second test 67-27 after leading 20-3 in the 40th minute. It was the most points the Wallabies have ever conceded in a test match.
Meanwhile, Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt has resisted wholesale changes to the team so heavily beaten by Argentina. The New Zealand-born coach has recalled center Hunter Paisami and scrumhalf Nic White to his starting lineup, naming a new halves partnership as flyhalf Noah Lolesio also returns from injury.
Paisami and White both missed the Argentina tests and are named for the first time since the Springboks matches.
Backrower Fraser McReight will make his first Rugby Championship appearance of the season after recovering from a broken finger. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto returns from a shoulder injury to take his place on the bench and Tom Wright was named at fullback.
Prop James Slipper will come off the bench to break George Gregan's record for most test appearances for Australia in his 140th test.
“The players have reconnected well this week for our last game on home soil this year,” Schmidt said. ”We’ve acknowledged the poor finish to our time in Argentina and we’re keen to turn that around on what will be a particularly special day for James and his family.”
Australia: Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Len Ikitau, Hunter Paisami, Marika Koroibete, Noah Lolesio, Nic White; Harry Wilson (captain), Fraser McReight, Rob Valetini, Jeremy Williams, Nick Frost, Taniela Tupou, Matt Faesller, Angus Bell. Reserves: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, James Slipper, Allan Ala'alatoa, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Langi Gleeson, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch.
New Zealand: Beauden Barrett, Will Jordan, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Caleb Clarke, Damian McKenzie, Cortez Ratima; Ardie Savea, Sam Cane, Wallace Sititi, Tupou Vaa'i, Scott Barrett (captain), Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Reserves: Asafo Aumua, Tamaiti Williams, Pasilio Tosi, Sam Darry, Luke Jacobson, T.J. Perenara, Anton Lienert-Brown, Sevu Reece.
AP rugby: https://apnews.com/hub/rugby
New Zealand's Cortez Ratima, left, and South Africa's Grant Williams, center, go for possession of the ball during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium, South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht))
Argentina's Los Pumas Juan Cruz Mallia, center, is tackled by Australia's Marika Koroibete, second right, during a rugby championship test match in Santa Fe, Argentina, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mateo Occhi)
Australia's Ben Donaldson, center, is tackled by Argentina's Los Pumas Juan Martin Gonzalez during a rugby championship test match in Santa Fe, Argentina, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mateo Occhi)
New Zealand's Codie Taylor, makes off with the ball during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)
Argentina's Los Pumas Joaquin Oviedo runs with the ball to score a try against Australia during a rugby championship test match in Santa Fe, Argentina, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Mateo Occhi)
New Zealand's Scott Barrett, left, tackles South Africa's Ox Nche during a rugby championship test match between South Africa and New Zealand at Cape Town Stadium South Africa, Saturday, Sept. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Nardus Engelbrecht)
Woody Johnson sensed his struggling New York Jets needed a change — and now.
So the owner made the stunning decision Tuesday to fire coach Robert Saleh just five games into his fourth season after the team's 2-3 start following a 23-17 loss to Minnesota in London on Sunday.
“This is one of the most talented teams that has ever been assembled by the New York Jets,” Johnson said during a conference call with reporters. "I wanted to give this team the most opportunity to win this season. I feel that we had to go in a different direction and that’s why I did that today.
“This change, the change that we made today — that I made — I believe will bring new energy and positivity that will lead to more wins, starting now.”
Saleh was 20-36 as coach of the Jets, who are trying to snap the NFL’s longest active playoff drought at 13 seasons. The move marks the first time in Johnson’s 25-year tenure that a head coach has been fired during the season.
Defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich will serve as interim coach for the rest of the season — with the Jets maintaining expectations to make the playoffs.
“He’s going to add a spark of positivity," Johnson said of Ulbrich.
The surprising move came a day after Saleh said he was confident Aaron Rodgers and the Jets would be able to turn things around after losing two straight, including falling to undefeated Minnesota. Rodgers had his worst game with New York, throwing three interceptions.
“I’m not panicked,” Saleh said. "Nobody in the building is panicked.”
But Johnson had seen enough from Saleh, who became the NFL's first coach fired this season. Saleh, who had one year remaining on his contract, had the worst winning percentage — .357 — of any Jets coach with at least 40 games.
“It’s not just the last two games that has precipitated this decision,” Johnson said. “It’s a longer time frame. I’ve had a couple of years to think about this and I just think we can do better. The team can do better. As we have this new leadership, I think that’s going to bring out the best in these players, I really do. I feel confident that that’s going to happen.”
Johnson said he spoke with Rodgers — but not about a possible coaching change — on Monday. He also chatted with general manager Joe Douglas, but added “this was my decision and my decision alone.”
It's the 12th time since 2000 that a team has changed coaches just five games or fewer into a season, and the first since Matt Rhule was fired by Carolina after five games in 2022.
The Jets face the Buffalo Bills (3-2) on Monday night, when they have a chance to share the AFC East lead with a victory. But instead of Saleh, it will be the 47-year-old Ulbrich leading the team on the sideline.
Ulbrich, who played linebacker for 10 seasons with San Francisco, joined the Jets as part of Saleh's initial staff in 2021. He opened a video call with reporters by thanking Saleh for sticking by him when the Jets' defense struggled in their first season together.
“Today's an exciting day for myself from the standpoint of getting this opportunity,” Ulbrich said. “But at the same time, heavy in my heart for Robert.”
Ulbrich was an assistant with Atlanta for six seasons before coming to New York and was part of another midseason coaching change when the Falcons fired Dan Quinn five games into the 2020 season.
“We’re not playing to our potential," Ulbrich said. "We're not. We’re too talented to be putting the product we put out there the last couple of weeks, especially. We have to take a hard look at everything and be honest with ourselves.”
After success as San Francisco's defensive coordinator for four seasons, Saleh replaced the fired Adam Gase in January 2021 after the Jets went 9-23 in his tenure.
Saleh, the son of Lebanese parents, was believed to be the first Muslim head coach in NFL history when the Jets hired him. Saleh wore a patch of Lebanon's flag on his left arm during the game in London on Sunday, something he also did at times last season. The NFL encouraged players and coaches to represent their heritage.
Saleh's tenure began with a major decision as he and Douglas moved on from quarterback Sam Darnold — the No. 3 overall pick in 2018 — to draft Zach Wilson with the second overall pick in 2021.
While Saleh and Ulbrich's defense was a strength for the Jets, Wilson and the offense struggled mightily.
The Jets traded for Rodgers in April 2023, adding the four-time NFL MVP to a franchise looking for a winner. But last season was short-circuited when Rodgers tore his left Achilles tendon four snaps into his debut.
New York limped to a 7-10 record and while Johnson wouldn't specifically say there was a playoff mandate for this season, the owner made it clear during the offseason he needed to see marked improvement by saying “we have to do a lot better than seven games.”
Rodgers healed and was ready for the season opener, but he has been banged up the past two weeks and is dealing with a sprained ankle that hobbled him throughout the Jets' loss to Darnold and the Vikings. Saleh said Monday that preliminary tests indicated Rodgers should be able to play against the Bills.
But now Saleh will be only a spectator.
There were questions about his relationship with the 40-year-old Rodgers, but both denied any friction as recently as last week in London when the quarterback said “there’s some driving force trying to put a wedge outside the facility” between the two.
The Jets now will try to become the third team to make the playoffs with an interim coach leading the way, hoping to join the 2021 Raiders with Rich Bisaccia and the 1961 Oilers with Wally Lemm.
“This is a new day for the team and it’s a new day that’s welcome,” Johnson said. “And as the team realizes what opportunity this is for them, I think they’re going to go to a level that we haven’t seen in a while.”
AP Pro Football Writer Josh Dubow contributed to this report.
AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL
FILE - New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh, right, talks with defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich before an NFL football game against the San Francisco 49ers in Santa Clara, Calif., Monday, Sept. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez, File)
FILE - New York Jets defensive coordinator Jeff Ulbrich walks the sideline during an NFL preseason football game against the Carolina Panthers, Saturday, Aug. 12, 2023, in Charlotte, N.C. (AP Photo/Brian Westerholt, File)
FILE - New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh walks on the field before an NFL football game against the Denver Broncos, Sunday, Sept. 29, 2024, in East Rutherford, N.J. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig, File)
FILE - New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh talks to reporters after an NFL football game against the Minnesota Vikings, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth, File)
Minnesota Vikings head coach Kevin O'Connell, right, talks with New York Jets head coach Robert Saleh before an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 6, 2024, at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium in London. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
