The Rugby Championship resumes this week with Australia hosting New Zealand in Perth and after taking a big hammering at Eden Park 3 weeks ago the Australians have it all to do.
Let’s start with a look at the Rugby Championship Outright Winner Markets where New Zealand are 9/20 to win the Tournament ahead of South Africa 21/10 and you can get Argentina and Australia at 25/1.
Click here for Outright Betting
The Wallabies are coming off back-to-back defeats against New Zealand in Auckland. In the first game which was a Bledisloe Cup Test they lost 33-25, but trailed by 27 points at one stage before 3 late tries got them comfortably beating the handicap of (+23.5). It was a similar handicap for the 2nd match and early in the second-half Australia trailed by just 6 points, but some poor decision making when New Zealand were down to 14 men saw the home team win run away comfortable victors 57-22.
New Zealand have left a few key players at home in the form of Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga and Sam Whitelock, but as always they will put a very strong starting line-up onto the park.
Teams
Australia: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper, 6 Lachie Swinton, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Nic White, 22 Reece Hodge, 23 Jordan Petaia
New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 David Havili, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Ardie Savea (captain), 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 George Bridge
BETTING – Click here to bet
Australia 13/2
Draw 45/1
New Zealand 1/8
Handicap: Australia (+17.5) at 9/10, New Zealand (-17.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Winning Margin, New Zealand under 12.5 points at 12/5
I expect Australia to be competitive at home and they can take advantage of the fact that New Zealand are missing a few of their star players. I am going to stick my neck out here and suggest that Australia will comfortably beat the handicap, but New Zealand will still win the match at odds of nearly 2.5/1
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
