Australia vs New Zealand Predictions - All Blacks to dominate Bledisloe Cup

Marc Thomas

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Last updated: 19 Sep 2024

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Marc Thomas 19 Sep 2024

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Australia were beaten 67-27 by Argentina in their last match.
New Zealand are expected to cover the -13 handicap and aim for victories in both Bledisloe fixtures.
Key player changes for New Zealand include Beauden Barrett moving to fullback and Caleb Clarke returning from injury.

New Zealand are expected to cover the -13 handicap and aim for victories in both Bledisloe fixtures (Gallo Images)

Australia vs New Zealand Predictions

Australia were woeful in their last outing, conceding a record 67 points. They may be more comfortable at home but were well beaten by South Africa in Australia recently.

Australia vs New Zealand Predictions
Head to Head
Australia Form
Australia Injuries & Team News
New Zealand Form
New Zealand Injuries & Team News

While the All Blacks are also rebuilding, they look like a good unit and took the world champions to the wire away from home. I am backing the visitors to cover the -13 handicap.

Australia have lost 3 of their last 4 matches.
Australia conceded 67 points against Argentina in their last match.
New Zealand have lost 3 of their last 4 matches.
New Zealand have won their last 7 matches against Australia.
New Zealand have covered the -13 handicap in 4 of their last 6 matches against Australia.

Head to Head

New Zealand have won their last seven matches against the Wallabies. The last time Australia won was a 24-22 victory in 2020.

In 2023, the All Blacks won 38-7 away before narrowly escaping with a 23-20 victory at home the following week.

Australia Form

Australia are in a very poor place heading into this first Bledisloe Cup Test match against the All Blacks. They are bottom of the Rugby Championship with just one win in four and suffered a record defeat in their last outing.

After being comfortably beaten at home on successive weekends by South Africa, Australia traveled to Argentina in what many expected would be another two defeats. However, in the first week, they stuck in the game and won it with a late penalty.

In the second test, the Aussies started superbly, racing into a comfortable lead. Argentina fought back to within a few points by the break, and then the floodgates opened.

The Wallabies were hammered in the second half, losing the match 67-27. Their lack of fight in the final 40 will be cause for great concern as they look to welcome New Zealand.

Australia Injuries & Team News

Joe Schmidt is likely to look at a few changes to the side after a poor performance. There are also injury concerns that has to be considered before selection.

New Zealand Form

New Zealand are in a rebuilding phase at the moment, but their rebuilding is different to anyone else in the world. They are still expected to win games and dominate most teams.

While the media in New Zealand have placed the All Blacks in crisis mode after two very narrow defeats in South Africa, that actually says a lot about the expectations of the New Zealand public.

Of course, the All Blacks did lose to Argentina at home as well before bouncing back with a big win against the same opposition. However, going into the fifth round of the tournament, it is unheard of for the All Blacks to be out of the running for the title.

The Bledisloe Cup is their last hope, and they will expect victories in both fixtures.

New Zealand Injuries & Team News

Scott Robertson has made four changes to the side that lost 18-12 to the Springboks. Will Jordan shifts back to wing from fullback while Beauden Barrett takes up the 15 jersey. Sevu Reece drops to the bench to make way for Caleb Clarke who has recovered from injury.

Verdict

Australia v New Zealand

New Zealand are backed to cover the -13 handicap with Caleb Clarke tipped to in the try scoring markets.

New Zealand -13

Handicap

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