The All Blacks take on the Wallabies for the second consecutive week and bookmakers are expecting a similar result in Dunedin this Saturday.
New Zealand dominated Australia for the first half before taking the foot off the gas in the second half. The result was expected, but many bettors expected Australia to at least put up a fight.
With a 15th consecutive Bledisloe Cup loss on the line for Australia this Saturday, we’re expecting the proud rugby nation to show some of that attacking flair which they showed in the second half in Sydney. The All Blacks opened as the 29-point favourites which certainly suggests this game will be a one-sided affair again.
All Blacks form and news
The All Blacks were simply brilliant in the first half against the Wallabies last week – outscoring their opponents 40-6 in one of the most dominant halves of all time. A try in the ninth minute from Man of the Match Liam Squire set up the All Blacks nicely before winger Rieko Ioane crossed for a double within three minutes of each other.
A try to Sonny-Bill Williams and a double to Ryan Crotty was enough to give New Zealand an unassailable lead. It looked like it was going to be more of the same in the second half after Damian McKenzie and Ben Smith scored, but Australia fought back strongly when the All Blacks coach Steve Hansen put on the reserves.
It was a cause for concern for the All Blacks as its bench is typically a strength, but Australia ran in four consecutive tries in 20 minutes to help bridge the gap. All Blacks management didn’t seem too worried and the bench will only be used if the AB’s have a similar advantage again this week, but the depth did come into question in Sydney.
“Whilst we were very happy with the way we played for periods of the game in the first test, there were also moments where we weren’t so crash hot,” Hansen said. “However, this is a new week and we’re well aware that we’ll have to be better in all areas of our game, and we’ve concentrated on those areas we want to improve.” In positive news for the All Blacks, hooker Dan Coles is expected to make his return after nine months after his last start.
Wallabies form and news
A second half comeback from the Wallabies might have softened the blow last week in Sydney, but the Wallabies know just how far they have slipped behind the world’s best. The Wallabies defense and attack was shocking in the first half in Sydney and it makes us wonder what coach Michael Cheika has been coaching his team for the last few years. We fear that this could be the last campaign for Cheika if results don’t improve quickly, but it’s not going to get any easier with the All Blacks playing at home.
Cheila denied the rumours that a warm-up game prior to the first test would have helped his team become better prepared. “No. A warm-up game’s not going to,” Cheika said. “It’s about a collective of people doing a collection of things right on the day and at the right intensity. “That’s what we didn’t bring and that’s why we got beaten.” Playing in New Zealand hasn’t been a happy hunting ground for the Wallabies. They have lost their last nine matches in New Zealand and the margins haven’t been close.
Bledisloe Cup Test 2 tip
It’s not easy for any team to win by more than 29 points as the bookmakers are expecting this week and despite a comprehensive win last week, the All Blacks won by only 20 points. We can’t find the value in taking either team with the points spread option, but we’ve found a better value option.
All Blacks winning margin of 11-15 (17/2) and All Blacks 26-30 (6/1) are both worth taking and bettors will secure a profit if either tip wins.
Winning margin markets can be found at bet365 which has over 40 winning margin markets available.