Australia vs Fiji Tips, Predictions and Bet Builder

Australia host Fiji in their only warm-up Test before the much-anticipated British & Irish Lions series, with both sides looking to build momentum and settle combinations.

It is the Wallabies' first match of the year and they will be keen to put a difficult 2024 behind them.

Joe Schmidt's side won only one of six matches in the Rugby Championship, finishing bottom of the pile, and come into this after back-to-back defeats in the Autumn Internationals to Scotland and Ireland.

Schmidt must now build some momentum without the services of some key players.

Flanker Will Skelton and lock Rob Valetini have been ruled out with calf injuries, while scrum-half Jake Gordon is nursing a hamstring niggle.

Their absences hand opportunities to others in a new-look pack and a backline featuring the exciting Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii at outside centre and Max Jorgensen on the wing.

Fiji, looking for their first win in Australia in 70 years, will be full of confidence after beating the Wallabies for only the third time in their last meeting at the 2023 Rugby World Cup.

Thirteen players from that famous 22-15 victory in Saint-Etienne are named in the Flying Fijians' squad and the return of fly-half Caleb Muntz adds further quality to a side renowned for its physicality and flair.

Australia have dominated this fixture at home, winning the last seven meetings, but Fiji’s recent form and settled squad suggest this could be a far sterner test than in years past.

Australia v Fiji Tips Summary

Market	Tip	Odds
Match Result	Australia	1/9
Best Bet	Australia to win by 1-12 points	21/10
Bet Builder	Australia to win, Fiji +15.5 on Handicap & Joshua Tuisova to Score a Try	13/2

Key Match Stats

• Australia have won 19 of 23 matches against Fiji, with one draw

• Fiji's 22-15 win at the 2023 World Cup was their first over Australia since 1954

• The Wallabies have won their last six home games against Fiji

• Fiji have won three of their last five away fixtures

• Australia are missing key forwards Skelton and Valetini, but welcome back Suaalii and Jorgensen in the backs

Australia v Fiji Prediction

Best Bet: Australia to win by 1-12 points @ 21/10

Like his predecessor Dave Rennie, Schmidt still has a losing record as Australia coach after 16 months in the job.

He will be desperate to rectify that in a match that will serve as a competitive tune-up for the Lions series.

Australia's home record against Fiji is excellent, but their winning margins have been decreasing rapidly.

Their 37-14 win the last time the Flying Fijians visited in 2017 was much less comfortable than the three 40-plus point victories that preceded it and this one could be even closer.

The Wallabies are not at full strength and face a visiting side brimming with confidence and continuity.

Expect a physical, competitive contest, with Australia’s set-piece and discipline likely to prove decisive in a narrow win.

Simon Barlow explains:

Fiji's pack will test the Wallabies' depth, but the hosts' backline has quality and home advantage should see them home - just not by a wide margin.

Australia v Fiji Bet Builder Tip

• Australia to win

• Fiji +15.5

• Josua Tuisova to Score a Try

  Pays: 13/2

Fiji's attacking threats and Australia’s reshuffled pack suggest this clash could be competitive throughout.

The +14.5 handicap for Fiji looks generous given their recent form and the Wallabies' absentees, but it may be worth extending this to 15.5 for Bet Builder purposes.

The extra point adds an extra layer of safety given it represents more than three unconverted tries or one converted try, one unconverted and a penalty.

Adding "The Human Bulldozer" Joshua Tuisova to score a try in the contest is another way of boosting the odds.

The Racing 92 man mountain bullies opponents with his direct running through the middle and recently left Manu Tuiliagi trailing in his wake in a Top 14 game.

Learn more about how Bet Builders work in our Bet Builder guide.

Simon Barlow adds:

Australia's home record and backline firepower should see them edge a spirited Fiji side in a tight, physical contest. Expect the Wallabies to get the job done, but Tuisova and co cover the handicap.

Read more rugby union betting tips and predictions on site.

Tactics, Form and Team News

Coach Joe Schmidt has named a strong backline, with Tom Wright at full-back, Suaalii at outside centre, and Jorgensen and Harry Potter on the wings.

The pack is missing Skelton and Valetini, with Nick Frost and Jeremy Williams in the second row and Harry Wilson captaining from number eight.

Tate McDermott starts at scrum-half, with Noah Lolesio at fly-half.

Selected Australia XV: Slipper, Porecki, Alaalatoa, Frost, Williams, Gleeson, McReight, Wilson (c), McDermott, Lolesio, Jorgensen, Ikitau, Suaalii, Potter, Wright.
Bench: Pollard, Bell, Nonggorr, Hooper, Tizzano, White, Donaldson, Daugunu.

As for Fiji, 13 players from their 2023 World Cup win over Australia are included.

Caleb Muntz returns at fly-half, with Tuisova and Wainiqolo providing strike power out wide.

Tevita Ikanivere captains from hooker and the pack is loaded with experience and physicality.

Selected Fiji XV: Mawi, Ikanivere (c), Ravai, Nasilasila, Mayanavanua, Tagitagivalu, Canakaivata, Mata, Kuruvoli, Muntz, Wainiqolo, Tuisova, Baleiwairiki, Ravouvou, Rayasi.
Bench: Matavesi, Hetet, Doge, Vocevoce, Tuisue, Baselala, Armstrong-Ravula, Maqala.

View the full market and more odds for Australia vs Fiji on site.

This article was written by a partner sports writer via Spotlight Sports Group. All odds displayed on this page were correct at the time of writing and are subject to withdrawal or change at any time.