New Zealand vs Australia Prediction: Wallabies can run All Blacks close

Eden Park is the venue for the latest Bledisloe Cup match between New Zealand and Australia (06:05 BST, Sky Sports Main Event), as the Rugby Championship goes down to the wire.

It’s the penultimate round of matches and just two points separate leaders Australia and bottom team Argentina. Below are the tips for the Auckland clash, as well as the all-important team news, match odds and stats.

Team News

The All Blacks will have a change of captain due to the shoulder injury suffered by Scott Barrett, with Ardie Savea skippering the side.

Scott Robertson has brought in five players who didn’t feature in this month’s defeat to South Africa, including Cortez Ratima and Cam Roigard, who start at half-back.

Caleb Clarke starts his first New Zealand international of this season, selected on the left wing which sees Leroy Carter move to the right side.

Lock Patrick Tuipulotu returns from injury to be named amongst the replacements, while loose forward Peter Lakai is also on the bench and in line to play for New Zealand for the first time this year.

Australia will add four new faces to their squad following their narrow defeat to Argentina last time out.

Prop Allan Alaalatoa, who featured against the Lions, returns to the bench after recovering from a shoulder problem.

Lock Nick Frost, centre Len Ikitau and winger Harry Potter are included in Joe Schmidt’s starting XV.

Saturday will be an historic day for Wallabies skipper James Slipper, who will become the first Australian to reach 150 caps for his country.

New Zealand vs Australia Odds

The hosts, who have won their last nine matches against Australia, are the 2/11 favourites to claim a victory and to retain the Bledisloe Cup.

Australia last won in New Zealand in 2001, can be backed at 4/1 to end that wait while the draw is available at 28/1.

Handicap - Australia +14 @ 1/1

The All Blacks go into this clash with a bit of pressure on them, having lost two of their last three Tests.

They do have a phenomenal record though at Eden Park, with New Zealand unbeaten in their last 60 Tests at the Auckland arena, with 58 wins and two draws.

The hosts have only played at Eden Park once so far in 2025, with Robertson’s men grabbing a 24-17 win over world champions South Africa.

Australia, though, make the short journey across the Tasman Sea sat at top of the table, having collected three bonus points in their two victories.

The Wallabies look to have taken heart from some much-improved displays against the British and Irish Lions and have already beaten the Springboks on the road.

Although New Zealand can take advantage of being on home soil, Australia have shown enough to suggest they will push them all the way.

Two of the last three meetings have been inside the 14-point handicap and with rain expected in the North Island, conditions could aid the visitors.

Total Points - Under 54.5 @ 10/11

With the likelihood of a slippery ball for the players to handle, there could be several mistakes and regular turnovers on Saturday.

That will make free-flowing rugby difficult and it might turn into a battle up front, potentially leading to a low-scoring affair.

Just one of the last four meetings between the sides have topped the 54.5 point target, while just three points have separated the teams in two of their last three encounters.

Click here for the latest Rugby Union Odds

Find more Rugby Union Betting Tips here at Betfred Insights