Australia v New Zealand: Prediction, Tips and Odds

Having been thrashed 67-27 at the hands of Argentina in Santa Fe, things don't get any easier for Joe Schmidt's Australia as they prepare to host New Zealand on the penultimate weekend of the 2024 Rugby Championship.

The Wallabies had previously edged out Los Pumas 20-19, but suffered a backlash from the Argentines with a disastrous result in Santa Fe.

Back in the home comforts of Accor Stadium in Sydney, the Wallabies will be aiming to produce a response as they desperately hope to avoid the wooden spoon this season.

Standing in their way are a New Zealand side who will be licking their wounds after back-to-back defeats to the Springboks on South African soil.

While pushing the Boks hard in both Test matches, the All Blacks fell short in both Johannesburg and Cape Town, losing 31-27 and 18-12 respectively.

New Kiwis boss Scott Robertson is already under pressure after three defeats in New Zealand’s first four games of the Rugby Championship and the All Blacks will be looking to make a point in Sydney this weekend.

Australia v New Zealand betting tips and predictions

New Zealand -17.5 handicap - 11/10

Looking back at recent fixture between these rivals, New Zealand have been clearly the dominant force, as they go in search of their seventh straight win this weekend against the Wallabies.

Their last meeting was a 2023 Rugby World Cup warm-up game, in which coaches tend to tinker with their squads ahead of the major tournament, with this encounter ending in a 23-20 win for New Zealand in Dunedin.

However, the previous two wins were far more convincing in the Rugby Championship, with the All Blacks winning 40-14 in Auckland and 38-7 in Melbourne.

Against a Wallabies team that shipped 67 against Argentina last time out, New Zealand should not only win on Saturday but also fall on the right side of the -17.5 handicap on offer here.

HT/FT winning margin - New Zealand 9+ / New Zealand 13+ - 5/4

After the frustrations of their back-to-back defeats to South Africa, expect New Zealand to come out of the blocks quickly at Accor Stadium.

Having been stunned by Argentina in their opening game of the Rugby Championship in Wellington, the All Blacks responded the following game with a whirlwind first half against Los Pumas at Eden Park in Auckland.

Leading 35-3 at the break, New Zealand went on to cruise to a 42-10 win against the Argentines.

Looking to repeat that sort of first-half display in Sydney, there would be little surprise to see the visitors leading by over nine points at the break and by over 13 points come the full-time whistle.

Caleb Clarke 2 or more tries - 4/1

The joint-leading tryscorer in the Rugby Championship this season, winger Caleb Clarke has built on what was an impressive campaign for himself with the Blues in Super Rugby Pacific.

Helping the Blues win the grand final, Clarke ended the campaign with 10 tries for the Auckland outfit.

Bagging a brace of tries against South Africa earlier in this Rugby Championship campaign, Clarke has shown he can strike more than once at this level and he’s great value to score at least two tries against a fragile Wallabies defence this weekend.

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Australia v New Zealand odds

Australia - 5/1
Tie - 33/1
New Zealand - 1/8

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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.