Australia and New Zealand will hope to bounce back from Rugby Championship defeats as the rivals meet in their first Bledisloe Cup clash of the year. The Wallabies suffered a record loss to Argentina last time out, continuing a difficult campaign for a side in transition after a damaging World Cup last year.
Watch The Rugby Championship: Australia vs New Zealand And South Africa vs Argentina Live Stream Online From Anywhere, No cable or VPN required. Onetime Payment, No hidden charge.
Click To: Australia vs New Zealand Live Here Low Price
Click To: Australia vs New Zealand Live Here Low Price
The Bledisloe Cup is on the line over the course of the next two Trans-Tasman Test Matches, with the first taking place in Sydney this weekend. Both sides come into this fixture after disappointing Tours – The Kiwi’s failed to win either Test in South Africa and the Wallabies scraped a win before being handed their worst ever defeat in Santa Fe against a rampant Pumas side. With neither side in a position to win the Rugby Championship Title, it’s the local bragging rights at stake, along with some pride too.
The Aussies showed some positive signs in their narrow victory against the Pumas in the pouring rain of the 1st Test, but things quickly unravelled the following week when they conceded 50 points in the second half. The Pumas pace and ball-movement exposed the naïve Wallaby defence time and again, leaving Joe Schmidt no choice but to go back to the drawing board.
There are very few that believe the Australians stand a chance against the All Blacks this weekend - which can sometimes work in an underdogs favour – however, there are a number of areas that would have had to improved in the last few weeks for an upset victory here and I’m not sure that’s the case.
The All Blacks left South Africa with no victories, but not without landing a few punches on the Springboks along the way. In both Test Matches, the Kiwi’s were leading at Half Time, but unfortunately were not able to see out either game in the final stages. Robertson will certainly have been disappointed during his flight back home but will be hoping his side take the positives into their next game.
One thing is for sure though - they will be up against a far weaker defense this week and they will certainly be looking to move the ball to the edges, where they will get opportunities to test that uneasy Wallaby defense.
Team News:
Australia
Joe Schmidt has been able to recall a few key players this week which he’ll hope can make a difference. The front-row is the same again, with Bell, Faessler and Tupou combining. Tupou’s fitness is being questioned currently as he’s not being asked to go beyond 40 minutes, which the All Blacks will look to expose at scrum-time.
Salakaia-Loto is available again but will be on the bench so Williams continues in the second-row with Frost once again. Thankfully McReight is fit to start in the back-row, so Tizanno drops out of the squad. Once again Valentini and Wilson retain their spots to complete the forwards.
Both the half-backs are changed this week, with White and Lolesio starting. Paisami is fit again and he goes straight into the midfield alongside Ikitau. Wright was not available for the game in Santa Fe but is fit again to start at full-back in Sydney. Kellaway shifts back to the wing and Koreoibete is on the other wing.
New Zealand
Robertson has made a few changes to his side this week in an attempt to get them back on track. De Groot, veteran Taylor and Lomax will be the front-row trio and will be looking for set-piece dominance.
Scott Barrett and Vaa’I continue in the second-row and the back-row will be Sititi, Cane and Savea. Sititi impressed in South Africa, offering a strong carrying option that the Wallabies will need to be mindful of.
Ratima gets the Scrum-Half jersey again and McKenzie is at Fly-Half as usual. Robertson has tinkered with his midfield recently but returns to Jordie Barrett and Ioane this week. Will Jordan shuffles back onto the wing this week to make room for Beauden Barrett at full-back, leaving Clarke on the other wing.
Watch The Rugby Championship: Australia vs New Zealand And South Africa vs Argentina Live Stream Online From Anywhere, No cable or VPN required. Onetime Payment, No hidden charge.
Click To: Australia vs New Zealand Live Here Low Price
Click To: Australia vs New Zealand Live Here Low Price
The Bledisloe Cup is on the line over the course of the next two Trans-Tasman Test Matches, with the first taking place in Sydney this weekend. Both sides come into this fixture after disappointing Tours – The Kiwi’s failed to win either Test in South Africa and the Wallabies scraped a win before being handed their worst ever defeat in Santa Fe against a rampant Pumas side. With neither side in a position to win the Rugby Championship Title, it’s the local bragging rights at stake, along with some pride too.
The Aussies showed some positive signs in their narrow victory against the Pumas in the pouring rain of the 1st Test, but things quickly unravelled the following week when they conceded 50 points in the second half. The Pumas pace and ball-movement exposed the naïve Wallaby defence time and again, leaving Joe Schmidt no choice but to go back to the drawing board.
There are very few that believe the Australians stand a chance against the All Blacks this weekend - which can sometimes work in an underdogs favour – however, there are a number of areas that would have had to improved in the last few weeks for an upset victory here and I’m not sure that’s the case.
The All Blacks left South Africa with no victories, but not without landing a few punches on the Springboks along the way. In both Test Matches, the Kiwi’s were leading at Half Time, but unfortunately were not able to see out either game in the final stages. Robertson will certainly have been disappointed during his flight back home but will be hoping his side take the positives into their next game.
One thing is for sure though - they will be up against a far weaker defense this week and they will certainly be looking to move the ball to the edges, where they will get opportunities to test that uneasy Wallaby defense.
Team News:
Australia
Joe Schmidt has been able to recall a few key players this week which he’ll hope can make a difference. The front-row is the same again, with Bell, Faessler and Tupou combining. Tupou’s fitness is being questioned currently as he’s not being asked to go beyond 40 minutes, which the All Blacks will look to expose at scrum-time.
Salakaia-Loto is available again but will be on the bench so Williams continues in the second-row with Frost once again. Thankfully McReight is fit to start in the back-row, so Tizanno drops out of the squad. Once again Valentini and Wilson retain their spots to complete the forwards.
Both the half-backs are changed this week, with White and Lolesio starting. Paisami is fit again and he goes straight into the midfield alongside Ikitau. Wright was not available for the game in Santa Fe but is fit again to start at full-back in Sydney. Kellaway shifts back to the wing and Koreoibete is on the other wing.
New Zealand
Robertson has made a few changes to his side this week in an attempt to get them back on track. De Groot, veteran Taylor and Lomax will be the front-row trio and will be looking for set-piece dominance.
Scott Barrett and Vaa’I continue in the second-row and the back-row will be Sititi, Cane and Savea. Sititi impressed in South Africa, offering a strong carrying option that the Wallabies will need to be mindful of.
Ratima gets the Scrum-Half jersey again and McKenzie is at Fly-Half as usual. Robertson has tinkered with his midfield recently but returns to Jordie Barrett and Ioane this week. Will Jordan shuffles back onto the wing this week to make room for Beauden Barrett at full-back, leaving Clarke on the other wing.