Bledisloe Cup Game 3: Australia v New Zealand betting tips, prediction & odds

Welcome to our preview of the third 2020 Bledisloe Cup rugby match between Australia and New Zealand at ANZ Stadium in Sydney on Saturday, October 31.

The Wallabies must win this Test and the fourth Test in Brisbane to prevent their arch rivals the All Blacks holding the Bledisloe Cup for the 18th consecutive year. There is expected to be a crowd of around 40,000 at ANZ Stadium, with the number restricted to 50 per cent of available seats.

The first two matches of the 2020 series were played in New Zealand and resulted in a 16-16 draw in Wellington and  27-7 victory for the All Blacks at Eden Park in Auckland.

This match in Sydney doubles as the opener of the Rugby Championship, which includes only Argentina, Australia and New Zealand after world champions South Africa  withdrew, citing player welfare concerns.

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Bookmakers have made the All Blacks hot favourites at around $1.30 to win this match, with the Wallabies at $3.45.

For the first match and the first half of the second match in NZ, Australia were more than a match for the mighty Kiwis, but then suddenly Ian Foster’s side clicked into gear with three tries in quick succession to blow the match open.

It will be fascinating to see whether Australia are really about to make a resurgence under new coach Dave Rennie or the All Blacks will continue their dominance of so many years.

Teams new for Bledisloe Cup III

New All Blacks coach Ian Foster has been forced to ring the changes, with No.8 eight Ardie Savea and prop Nepo Laulala unavailable on paternity leave. Savea’s wife delivered a baby boy, while Laulala was still waiting. Both players are expected to be available for the final Bledisloe Cup Test in Brisbane on Saturday, November 7.

No.8 Hoskins Sotutu has been granted a first start for the Blacks in place of Savea. Karl Tu’inukuafe also joins the starting line-up at loosehead prop for Joe Moody, who suffered a concussion in the second Test and has yet to pass HIA protocols, and Sam Whitelock is back at lock after recovering from concussion suffered in the first Test.

Dalton Papalii and midfielder Ngani Laumape have been brought on to the bench for their first Tests of 2020, while Tyrel Lomax comes on to the pine for Laulala.

The Wallabies have lost centre Matt To’omua for the season to a groin injury, with young star Jordan Petaia likely to come into the start side to replace him.

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2020 Bledisloe Cup fixture, results

October 11: New Zealand 16 (Jordie Barrett, Aaron Smith tries; Jordie Barrett 2 pens) drew with Australia 16 (Filipo Daugunu, Marika Koroibete tries; James O’Connor 2 pens), Sky Stadium, Wellington.
October 18: New Zealand 27 (Aaron Smith, Jordie Barrett, Ardie Savea, Sam Cane tries; Richie Mo’unga 2 cons, pen) d Australia 7 (Marika Koroibete try; James O’Connor conversion), 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 three teams

New Zealand: 1. Karl Tu’inukuafe, 2. Dane Coles, 3. Ofa Tuungafasi, 4. Patrick Tuipulotu, 5. Samuel Whitelock, 6. Shannon Frizell, 7. Sam Cane (captain), 8. Hoskins Sotutu; 9. Aaron Smith, 10. Richie Mo’unga, 11. Caleb Clarke, 12. Jack Goodhue, 13. Anton Lienert-Brown, 14. Jordie Barrett, 15. Beauden Barrett. Reserves: 16. Codie Taylor, 17. Alex Hodgman, 18. Tyrel Lomax, 19. Scott Barrett, 20. Dalton Papalii, 21. TJ Perenara, 22. Ngani Laumape, 23. Rieko Ioane.

Australia (likely): 1. James Slipper, 2. Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3. Taniela Tupou, 4. Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 5. Matt Philip, 6. Ned Hanigan, 7. Michael Hooper, 8. Harry Wilson; 9. Nic White, 10. James O’Connor, 11. Marika Koroibete, 12. Jordan Petaia. 13. Hunter Paisami, 14. Filipo Daugunu, 15. Dane Haylett-Petty. Reserves: Jordan Uelese, Scott Sio, Allan Alaalatoa, Rob Simmons, Liam Wright, Jake Gordon, Reece Hodge,  Tom Banks, Irae Simone.

 

Read on for our free New Zealand v Australia tips ahead of their clash in Sydney on Saturday, October 31.

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All Blacks v Wallabies odds

Start:	7.45pm (AEDT), October 31
Venue:	ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Head-to-head odds:	Australia ($3.45) v New Zealand ($1.30)
Line betting:	Australia +8.5 ($1.90) v New Zealand -8.5 ($1.90)

All Blacks v Wallabies

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

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All Blacks v Wallabies prediction 31/10/2020

The Wallabies have been written off as a genuine chance by the odds-makers but we think the home-ground advantage is more crucial than ever in these difficult times. The Wallabies won the most recent clash between the teams on Australian soil 47-26 in Perth two years ago. We don’t expect a scoreline anywhere near that here but in our opinion all the value in the betting lies with the home side. Our final Australia v New Zealand prediction: Wallabies by 5 points. 

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Wallabies v All Blacks lowdown

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