Can the Wallabies avoid a 3-0 whitewash at the hands of the All Blacks when the sides face off in the final Bledisloe game in Perth on Sunday.
Sunday 5 September
08h00
Optus Stadium, Perth
To Win Match
Australia 13/2
Draw 28/1
New Zealand 1/12
Handicap
Australia (+19.5) 9/10
New Zealand (-19.5) 9/10
After losing both of their opening Bledisloe Cup Tests, the Wallabies are out to ensure they aren’t whitewashed when they tackle New Zealand again in the second round of the Rugby Championship at Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday.
The All Blacks’ 33-25 and 57-22 wins at Eden Park in August secured them a 19th straight Bledisloe triumph. This being the second round of the Rugby Championship, however, Australia will have much more than just pride to play for.
They have two Tests against South Africa to come following this weekend and it isn’t inconceivable that they could find themselves winless heading into the final two rounds against Argentina. They simply have to shore up their defensive system and stop gifting their opponents easy try-scoring opportunities — as they did in the second Test at Eden Park.
After their record defeat in the last Test, Dave Rennie’s Wallabies must pull some serious strings if they are to upset this All Blacks side here. They pulled off a memorable 24-22 win at the Suncorp during last year’s Tri Nations, so it certainly isn’t outside the realms of possibility.
For New Zealand, the pressure on Ian Foster will have been relieved somewhat following his contract extension through to the next World Cup. He will know that the Tests against the Springboks will provide his side with their true litmus test.
With the Boks performing so well in their opening two games, the ABs must win here to keep pace with the world champions or risk losing valuable ground in the championship. It is possible, though unlikely, that complacency could creep into Foster’s side after the results in the first two Bledisloe Tests and, without the absent trio of Sam Whitelock, Aaron Smith and Richie Mo’unga, New Zealand may be vulnerable.
Verdict: Australia (+19.5) 9/10
The Wallabies should be able to stay within this handicap at the very least against this weakened All Blacks side. Some of the braver punters out there might even want to back the Aussies to win on the board at 13/2.
