New Zealand vs Australia
The first test between the All Blacks and the Wallabies is upon us. We remember that astonishing draw last season in the first test when the All Blacks were heavily favoured to win. This time the scenario is pretty much the same pre-match with the home team playing at fortress Eden Park. The Aussies task for victory was made all the more difficult after star players Marika Koroibete and Isi Naisarani were suspended for the first test due to disciplinary issues. The All Blacks are at full strength with Richie Mo’unga selected ahead of Beauden Barrett and we will also see the return of former World Rugby player of the Year Brodie Retallick. The Aussies will look to catch the All Blacks off guard like they did last year but the home team is better prepared this time round after matches against Fiji. The Wallabies also had great preparations beating a young but tough French team 2-1. The home team will have extra motivation as its vice captain Aaron Smiths 100th test match. He has constantly shown in the last decade to be the best in the business and his teammates will look to put in a performance to match such a huge milestone.
TIP: The competition for places in the New Zealand team has seen players of the calibre of Jordie and Beauden Barrett sitting on the bench. Australia will not be able to match this All Blacks team in the forwards or in the backs so this could quickly turn into a lopsided contest. The home team have attacking threats laced throughout the team and none more dangerous than Richie Mo’unga. This guy is the heartbeat of his side with the ability to run at defences and also putting his teammates into gaps. The Wallabies have selected a very inexperienced backline and this could mean danger for them. They will find it almost impossible to defend against this All Blacks team. Their best option is to try and attack from deep but once again any errors will be punished by this All Blacks unit. The bookies have the home team as heavy favourites and I am also tipping them for a comfortable win. The best odds on the home win are as follows: Worldsportsbetting 1.08, Playabets 1.03 and Sunbet 1.07
HEAD TO HEAD STATS
New Zealand vs Australia
- In the last five matches there have been three NZ wins with one draw and a lone Australia win.
- In the last 10 home matches the All Blacks have won 9 against the Aussies with one draw.
- The last time NZ lost to the Aussies at home was in 2012.
Latest results for both teams
The All Blacks won their last match against Fiji 60-13 while the Aussies won their last match against France 33-30.
PREDICTION
The selection of this All Blacks team suggests that they will want to run the Wallabies of their feet from the first minute. They have a back three of Damian McKenzie, Sevu Reece and Rieko Ioane who are all great counter attackers so the Wallabies need to be deadly accurate with their kicking game. They have a very young halfback pairing of Noah Lolesio and Tate McDermott who will no doubt be targeted by Mo’unga and Aaron Smith. They will look to attack through their channel and if their defence is not up to the mark then the All Blacks backline could have a field day. The All Blacks also seem to hold the advantage in the forwards with Sam Whitelock and Ardie Savea leading the charge although the Australia skipper Michael Hooper will not be easily dominated. The All Blacks also have a super strong bench therefore I predict a landslide win for the All Blacks by more than 23 points
- Probable Starting XVs
New Zealand
15 Damian McKenzie, 14 Sevu Reece, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 David Havili, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Ardie Savea, 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Samuel Whitelock (c), 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower
Australia
15 Tom Banks, 14 Jordan Petaia, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Hunter Paisami, 11 Andrew Kellaway, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper
Odds for this bet
The best odds on the All Blacks victory are as follows:
Worldsportsbetting 1.08
Playabets 1.03
Sunbet 1.07
Odds comparison on the All Blacks handicap victory :
The complete odds on the All Blacks handicap victory:
Worldsportsbetting (-20.5) 1.90
Sunbet (-20.5) 1.92
Playabets (-20.5) 1.79
Predictions and Odds in details
Most teams can only dream of having a bench that the All Blacks have in this match. The Wallabies will do well to stay in the game until the second half but once the replacements come on they will have no answer to the attacking threats. The scrum as always will be a point of interest and the All Blacks will have the edge in this department especially as I feel Australia’s best scrummager Taniela Tupou is on the bench. When he comes on to the field it will be too late as the All Blacks will have built an insurmountable lead. The player that has a lot to prove is Rieko Ioane as he moves back to the wing having played at centre in the last two seasons. There are many critics that say he has lost that pace that made him so dangerous and this is a perfect opportunity for him to silence those critics and I expect a big game from him. There is no money for punters on the outright win for the All Blacks therefore I suggest the home team on the handicap. The best odds on this bet are as follows: Worldsportsbetting (-20.5) 1.90, Sunbet (-20.5) 1.92 and Playabets (-20.5) 1.79
Sports crazy fan that follows all major sport but the game with the oval ball is my real passion. Was an age level rugby coach and a huge supporter of the Springboks and diehard Liverpool man. I’m an experienced punter and sports writer whose predictions/tips are sure to stir up the emotions. I love the occasional wager on the underdog.
