Accor Stadium will host the Wallabies for just the fourth time this decade when Australia attempts to level the two-game Bledisloe Cup series against New Zealand, who retained the trophy in Auckland last weekend.
Match News and Current Form
It is perhaps indicative of the slow decline of rugby union in Australia that Sydney’s 80,000-seat Olympic stadium, which was once Sydney’s go-to venue for the majority of Wallabies Test matches since its construction, has been replaced by a venue of half its size across town. But the code is experiencing a delightful resurgence between a wonderful Lions tour of 2025 and home World Cup in 2027, with more than 60,000 tickets sold for a Wallabies game that comes just 48 hours after the Rugby League World Cup was opened at Allianz Stadium, showcasing a sport that at club level is being dominated nationally by the 13-a-side game.
The only battles that will be concerning Wallabies head coach Les Kiss will take place on the pitch as he looks to dust off the humiliation of last week’s 50-19 loss at Eden Park, his first from six games in charge of the team (W4, D1). It was at this venue where they famously defeated the Lions 22-12 last year, albeit with the series having been decided, whilst their last two games in Sydney resulted in hard-fought but agonising two-point losses to both Argentina and Ireland.
New All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie is already thinking about the 2027 World Cup pool game between New Zealand and Australia in Sydney, commenting on Thursday about the “crazy” draw that could see the winner of the game eventually face world champions South Africa in the quarter-finals. Rennie’s main focus for now is to ensure that he remains undefeated as All Blacks boss against all teams other than the Springboks as they prepare to head north in pursuit of Nations Championship glory.
Rennie also revealed that number ten Richie Mo’unga is at risk of missing that Nations Championship series through injury when he announced a team that included three forced changes. Josh Moorby will start on the wing in place of Leroy Carter, whilst Fabian Holland and George Bower also move from bench to the starting XV. Timoci Tavatavanawai, Du'Plessis Kirifi, Cortez Ratima and Samisoni Taukei'aho are amongst those who have been named on the bench as a result.
Head-to-Head History
The All Blacks are now on a 12-game winning streak since a 24-22 defeat in Brisbane. Five of the last eight came with a 14+ point margin.
Hot Stats and Streaks
Eight of Australia’s nine games this season cleared the main total points handicap (average 65 points per game).
Australia were the first to score ten points in six of their nine matches this year.
New Zealand conceded the opening try in four of their nine wins this year.
The second half was the higher scoring half in eight of New Zealand’s 12 games this year.
Key Players to Watch and Missing Players
Australia captain Harry Wilson has had an insatiable hunger to score despite his role in the forward pack, crossing the line in each of his last four internationals. Josh Moorby won a deserved promotion to the starting side after he scored for the fourth game since the start of the South Africa tour.
Australia are missing Carter Gordon and Ben Donaldson through injury, whilst New Zealand also lost Asafo Aumua, Leroy Carter and Anton Segner to injury or concussion last weekend and also remain without Richie Mo’unga or Ethan Blackadder.
Click here to read up on the latest squad news.
Betting Analysis
Australia have been quick starters this year without always being able to close out a win, so there could be value in backing Australia to score the first try.
Author: Aaron Murphy
