Bledisloe Cup Game 2: New Zealand v Australia betting tips, prediction & odds

Welcome to our preview of the second 2020 Bledisloe Cup rugby match between New Zealand and Australia at Eden Park, Auckland, on Sunday, October 18.

We can look forward to another cracking contest after the 16-16 draw in Wellington when Australia missed out on a win for the ages as a long-range penalty goal attempt from Reece Hodge in the dying stages thumped into the right-hand post and bounced back into play.

It will be fascinating to see how the All Blacks, who went into that match as unbackable favourites, respond this week.

The Wallabies came from 10 points behind with two second-half tries and were unlucky not to win. But was this just an anomaly, with two teams which have not played Test rugby in a year, have new coaches and were still finding their way?

Will normal New Zealand service be resumed and the All Blacks blow away the opposition? Or has Dave Rennie transformed the Wallabies into a team capable of matching the best in the world?

Eden Park has not been a happy hunting ground for the Wallabies, who have not won there since 1986 and the days of amateur rugby.

Bookmakers believe the All Blacks will bounce back and pulverise the Wallabies this time, rating the home team at $11.4 favourites against Australia at $5.80, with the $1.90 line set at -15.5 points for NZ.

Last week it was slightly shorters odds for the All Blacks, but surprisingly the line is similar this week.

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New Wallabies coach Rennie has swung the changes for game two, though he has left the back line intact. Four players, all from the ACT Brumbies, have been dropped from the match-day squad: No.8 Pete Samu, hooker Folau Fainga’a, back-rower Rob Valetini and Noah Lolesio.

Waratahs second-rower Ned Hanigan comes in at No.6, with Harry Wilson moved to No.8 for Samu. Hooker Brandon Paenga-Amosa comes in for Folau Fainga’a in an attempt solve line-out issues from game one.

The Wallabies will also welcome back quick-stepping Jordan Petaia, who missed the Bledisloe Cup opener with a hip injury, on the bench plus Queensland Reds star Liam Wright for his third Test cap.

The All Blacks regain gun fullback Beauden Barrett for this second match, which should help their set-up enormously. He is one of the best players on the planet.

All Blacks coach Ian Foster has made several other changes.

Outside-centre Rieko Ioane, who dropped the ball over the line when he seemed certain to score last Sunday, is moved to the bench and replaced by Anton Lienert-Brown.
Young flyer Caleb Clarke replaces winger George Bridge, who suffered a gym mishap this week and suffered a serious pectoral injury.

In the forwards, Tupou Vaa’i make his first Test start in place of the injured Sam Whitelock (head knock). Dane Coles moves into the starting XV for Codie Taylor at hooker, while prop Alex Hodgman comes in for his Test debut from the pine.

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2020 Bledisloe Cup fixture, results

October 11: New Zealand 16 (J. Barrett, A. Smith tries; J. Barrett 2 pens) drew with Australia 16 (F. Daugunu, M. Koroibete tries; J. O’Connor 2 pens), Sky Stadium, Wellington.
October 18: 4pm NZ time, 2pm (AEDT) New Zealand v Australia, Eden Park, Auckland
October 31: 9.45pm NZ time, 7:45pm (AEDT) Australia v New Zealand, ANZ Stadium, Sydney
November 7: 9.45pm NZ time, 7:45pm (AEDT) Australia v New Zealand, Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane

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2020 Bledisloe Cup game two teams

New Zealand: Joe Moody, Dane Coles, Ofa Tuungafasi, Patrick Tuipulotu, Tupou Vaa’i, Shannon Frizell, Sam Cane, Ardie Savea; Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga, Caleb Clarke, Jack Goodhue, Anton Lienert-Brown, Jordie Barrett, Beauden Barrett. Reserves: Codie Taylor, Alex Hodgman, Nepo Laulala, Scott Barrett, Hoskins Sotutu, TJ Perenara, Rieko Ioane, Damian McKenzie.

Australia: James Slipper, Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Taniela Tupou, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Matt Philip, Ned Hanigan, Michael Hooper, Harry Wilson; Nic White, James O’Connor, Marika Koroibete, Matt To’omua, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Tom Banks. Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Simmons, Liam Wright, Jake Gordon, Jordan Petaia, Reece Hodge.

 

Read on for our free New Zealand v Australia tips ahead of their clash at Eden Park, Auckland, on Sunday, October 18.

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All Blacks v Wallabies odds

Start:	2pm (AEDT), October 18
Venue:	Eden Park, Auckland
Head-to-head odds:	New Zealand ($1.14) v Australia ($5.80)
Line betting:	New Zealand -15.5 ($1.90) v Australia +15.5 ($1.90)

All Blacks v Wallabies

Our rugby union betting expert has scoured the odds and found several value tips for Sunday’s Bledisloe Cup game.

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All Blacks v Wallabies prediction 17/10/2020

We think the All Blacks will be stung into action by the all the criticism they have faced this week at home from fans and the media. The Wallabies will be confident but unless they can fix some of their set piece play quickly they are running uphill. The Wallabies need to win two of the last three Bledisloe Cup matches to claim the trophy after a long wait but we think they will have to win the two remaining matches in Australia to do the job. Eden Park is the fortress of All Blacks rugby. Our final New Zealand v Australia prediction: All Blacks by 12 points. 

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All Blacks v Wallabies lowdown

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