The chance to lift the Bledisloe Cup might have come and gone for Australia, but the Wallabies still have plenty to play for as they prepare for the second Test against New Zealand in Sydney on Saturday morning.
Australia's wait for a win over New Zealand, which goes back to November 2020, continued last weekend, as the Wallabies suffered a 50-19 defeat at Eden Park.
However, the result does not tell the full tale of the game and Australia head coach Les Kiss will be hoping his side can give a full 80-minute performance to really give the All Blacks a run for their money at Allianz Stadium this weekend.
Australia v New Zealand Tips Summary
Best Bet - Australia +8.5 handicap @ 1.86
Alternative Bet - Under 60.5 total points @ 1.85
Bet Builder - Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii & Josh Moorby anytime tryscorers @ 4.60
Australia v New Zealand Prediction
Best Bet : Australia +8.5 handicap @ 1.86
Australia showed plenty of promise during the opening 40 minutes in Auckland last weekend, going into the interval just three points behind at 17-14.
The contest took a dramatic turn after the restart, though, as the Wallabies managed just five further points while New Zealand ran in five tries to seal a commanding 50-19 triumph at Eden Park.
Kiss and his players must now find a response, particularly in the areas that let them down so badly during the second half of the first Test.
Returning to familiar surroundings at Allianz Stadium should help the Wallabies produce a more sustained performance in Sydney.
Overturning last weekend's result and claiming a victory may prove beyond Australia, but they should have enough about them to remain competitive for longer this time around.
With that in mind, taking the Wallabies at +8.5 on the handicap looks an appealing option.
Alternative Bet: Under 60.5 total points @ 1.85
Following that high-scoring encounter in Auckland, a lower-scoring encounter might well be on the cards in Sydney this weekend.
Looking back at the last three encounters between these sides on Australian soil, going for under 59.5 total points would have landed in all of them.
Australia will know they will need to produce a better defensive display if they are to compete on Saturday and going for under 59.5 total points gets the green light.
Australia v New Zealand Bet Builder Tip
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii anytime tryscorer
Josh Moorby anytime tryscorer
Pays 4.60
Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii’s move from the wing to outside centre means the powerful runner should see more of the ball this weekend.
Scoring four tries in the last Rugby Championship campaign while playing at outside centre, Suaalii is fancied in the anytime tryscorer market for this one, as is New Zealand winger Josh Moorby.
Following a 17-try haul in the last Super Rugby Pacific campaign for the Hurricanes, Moorby scored last weekend against the Wallabies and can repeat the feat at Allianz Stadium on Saturday.
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Key Match Stats
New Zealand claimed the Bledisloe Cup with a 50-19 win last weekend at Eden Park in Auckland
Australia have now suffered just one defeat in their last seven games
New Zealand were on a three-game losing streak (all to South Africa), before that victory in Auckland last weekend
The All Blacks are on a 12-game winning streak against Australia
The Wallabies' last win over the All Blacks was a 24-22 home victory in November 2020
Read more rugby union betting tips and predictions 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.
