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

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 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.

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 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 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.