New Zealand vs Australia 1st Bledisloe Cup Test Predictions & Tips - Eden Park hoodoo to continue for Australia

Ralph Staniforth

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Last updated: 06 Aug 2021

Ralph Staniforth 06 Aug 2021

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New Zealand vs Australia predictions for Saturday’s 1st Bledisloe Cup fixture
Match is being played at 08:05 BST at Eden Park in Auckland
Can the All Blacks continue their dominant home record over Australia?
New Zealand have won their last 21 matches against the Wallabies at Eden Park
Preview, Tips, stats & team news

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New Zealand have won 24 of their last 25 home matches against the Aussies (Getty Images)

New Zealand vs Australia Preview & Tips

New Zealand have dominated Australia in recent years. They have won 24 of their last 25 home matches against the Wallabies - most of them comfortable wins. I am backing the All Blacks to win by more than 22 points.

New Zealand vs Australia Predictions
Head to Head
New Zealand Form
New Zealand Injuries & Team News
Australia Form
Australia Injuries & Team News
New Zealand vs Australia Live Stream FAQ

New Zealand have covered the -20 handicap in 5 of their last 8 matches against Australia.
New Zealand have covered the -20 handicap in their last 3 matches.
New Zealand have won 24 of their last 25 matches against Australia at home (1 draw).
Australia have lost their last 21 matches at Eden Park against New Zealand.

Head to Head

New Zealand lead 13-3 in their last 17 matches against Australia. There has been one drawn match. They last met in November 2020 where Australia won 24-22 at home.

Eden Park is however a fortress for New Zealand, a place Australia have not won in 21 matches (since 1986). In fact, Australia have not beaten the All Blacks anywhere in New Zealand since 2001.

New Zealand Form

New Zealand recently played three Test matches but none of them were very competitive. They defeated Tonga 102-0 before a two-Test series against Fiji. The Fijians put up a spirited performance in both matches but lost 57-23 and 60-13.

Despite the lack of preparation, the All Blacks will be full of confidence. In 10 matches during the 2021 Super Rugby tournament, no Australian franchise managed to beat a New Zealand franchise.

Last season New Zealand had one of their poorer years and still beat Australia in two of their four matches. There was one draw and one defeat but they held onto the Bledisloe Cup.

New Zealand Team News

Ian Foster has picked a very strong side to get the Bledisloe Cup started off.

Richie Mo’unga gets the nod at flyhalf ahead of Beauden Barrett who finds himself on the bench. Aaron Smith starts at scrumhalf while Ardie Savea is at eighth-man.

The side will be captained by Sam Whitelock in the absence of the injured Sam Cane.

Australia Form

Australia will come into this fixture with mixed emotions. They have had better preparation having welcomed France for a three-match series a month ago.

The Wallabies won the series 2-1 with all three matches going down to the wire. In the 1st Test Australia kicked a last minute penalty to win 33-30 before losing the 2nd Test 28-26. In the decider Australia came out on top 23-21.

The concern for Australia will be that it was almost a completely second string French side that played in that series. Their franchises also failed to win a game against a New Zealand franchise in Super Rugby 2021.

Australia Team News

Australia have had some disciplinary problems this week. Winger Marika Koroibete, eighth-man Isi Naisarani and prop Pone Fa’amausili have all been suspended for a late night out.

Dave Rennie has all his other players available. There has been talk in the media of Quade Cooper making a surprise return to the match-day 23.

New Zealand vs Australia FAQ

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Verdict

New Zealand v Australia

New Zealand have been completely dominant at home against Australia in recent years. I am tipping the hosts to cover the -22 handicap in this match.

New Zealand -20

Handicap

@1.85 - 4 Units

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