The Wallabies face a relentless All Blacks team in Bledisloe 2, on Saturday 25 August at Eden Park.
New Zealand vs Australia
Saturday 25 August
Eden Park, Auckland
9:35am
To Win (80 Mins)
New Zealand 1/25
Draw 35/1
Australia 8/1
Handicap
New Zealand (-22.5) 9/10
Australia (+22.5) 9/10
Fortress Eden Park looms large on the horizon for the Australians. Indeed it is a ground where they’ve failed to win since 1986. Their task at the weekend has been made all the more difficult by the fact that Israel Folau will miss the trip to Auckland.
The Australians last won the trophy in 2002 when the likes of Matthew Burke, Stirling Mortlock, and Toutai Kefu all donned the Gold Jersey.
Looking back to round two’s Rugby Championship clash, you would expect New Zealand to get off to a better start in Auckland than they did in Sydney, where they went into the sheds 6-5 down before exploding into life in the second stanza.
Ins and Outs:
Rieko Ioane and Ryan Crotty have both been ruled out of Blesdisloe 2. Ioane suffered a hamstring injury while Crotty a concussion after he was knocked out during aclashing heads with team mate Jack Goodhue. That means Waisake Naholo moves to left wing, Ben Smith to the right wing, while Jordie Barrett will complete the backline at fullback and Ngani Luamampe will replace Ryan Crotty.
Isreael Folau left the stadium last weekend on crutches after sustaining a minor ankle injury, he will unfortunately not be available in Auckland. Jack Maddocks came on in the 55th minute and scored a try, the youngster will wear number 14 and Dane Haylett-Petty will move to fullback.
What to Expect?
Expect the New Zealanders to dominate from the outset in a bid to right the wrongs of last week. I reckon we could easily see the All Blacks clear whatever handicap is set for this weekend pretty easily.
Australia won 5
Draws 2
Overall Head to Head Matches
New Zealand won 112
Australia won 43
Draw 7
Teams
New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Ben Smith, 13 Jack Goodhue, 12 Ngani Laumape, 11 Waisake Naholo, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Kieran Read (c), 7 Sam Cane, 6 Liam Squire, 5 Samuel Whitelock, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Owen Franks, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody
Replacements: 16 Nathan Harris, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Ardie Savea, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Anton Lienert-Brown
Australia: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Jack Maddocks, 13 Reece Hodge, 12 Kurtley Beale, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Bernard Foley, 9 Will Genia, 8 David Pocock, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Lukhan Tui, 5 Adam Coleman, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Tatafu Polota-Nau, 1 Scott Sio
Replacements: 16 Folau Faingaa, 17 Tom Robertson, 18 Sekope Kepu, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Nick Phipps, 22 Matt Toomua, 23 Tom Banks
Verdict: New Zealand (-22) 9/10
Their dominance in World Rugby continues and the All blacks should clear this handicap easily – with a stronger showing in the second half.
