Southern Hemisphere rugby fans will be treated to the final Bledisloe Cup matchup of the season when the Wallabies host the All Blacks at Suncorp Stadium this weekend in Brisbane. The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup in Auckland with a 51 – 20 thumping having been held to a draw the week before in Sydney, but there is still a lot riding on both teams ahead of the matchup this weekend. The final round of the Rugby Championship saw two ‘upsets’, with the Springboks sensationally toppling the titleholders and the Pumas secured their first ever Rugby Championship win coming from behind to defeat a shell-shocked Wallabies in Mendoza. This weekend’s previews will focus on the Bledisloe Cup and both Currie Cup semi-finals coming to us from South Africa. After this weekend, I will be returning to cover the finals of the ITM Cup series and the Autumn International Test Match Series which sees the world’s best teams face off against each other in Europe. Make sure you follow me on Twitter (@S15_TheProfits) for last minute tips, game coverage, expert insight or just for a chat. Fingers are crossed for another fascinating weekend of rugby as the Wallabies and the All Blacks go head to head for the last time until August 2015.
Best Bet 1: New Zealand -8.5 (vs Australia) @ $1.91 – Sportingbet
Best Bet 2: Lions -2.5 (vs Sharks) @ $1.87 – Sportingbet
Best Bet 3: Western Province – 6.5 (vs Blue Bulls) @ $1.90 – Sportingbet
Australia ($3.75) vs New Zealand ($1.28)
Barring Ellis Park, the New Zealand All Blacks return to one of their least favourite venues in world rugby this weekend, when fans at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane will see them take on their beloved Wallabies. The Rugby Championship is now done and dusted for another year with the All Blacks crowned as champions for the third consecutive season, despite going down to the Springboks in Johannesburg 25 – 27 in a classic encounter. Had the Wallabies not beaten the Springboks in the final moments of the match in Perth, the All Blacks may have been knocked off their perch, however, hindsight is a wonderful thing. The Wallabies are also coming off a disappointing four-point loss to Argentina in a bruising clash in Mendoza and will need to improve significantly this week if they are to beat the All Blacks for the first time since 2011. Interestingly enough, the last three clashes at Suncorp Stadium have seen the Wallabies win won and draw two, so I have no doubts the All Blacks will be out to break the Wallabies stranglehold at this venue.
Australia:
2014 is quickly becoming another season of close, but no cigar for Australian rugby and the latest saga involving Kurtley Beale is something the ARU certainly didn’t need ahead of such a crucial clash with the All Blacks this weekend. Australia’s loss to the Pumas in Mendoza elevated the Argentinians into the top ten of the IRB world ranking, but more importantly demoted the Wallabies into fourth position behind the All Blacks, the Springboks and England. The Wallabies certainly have the players to beat the world’s best teams, however, consistency has plagued them and the Wallabies are failing to win the matches that they need to. Captain Michael Hooper is one of the Wallabies that can certainly hold his head high after a dominant series in the number seven jersey. Hooper is a warrior at the breakdown and his acceleration in tight spaces makes him a handful for any pillar, post and key defenders. Hooper also has a knack of finding the try line, which emphasises his huge work rate and adept support play. In the backs, Israel Folau also is a trump card for the Wallabies. Although Folau hasn’t been producing the displays that we saw from him during the Super Rugby season, he still tops many of the offensive stats and is a huge threat to any team he comes up against. However, it will be interesting to see how he continues to develop his game given the tighter confines Test rugby presents.
Under fire coach Ewen McKenzie has made just two changes to his starting fifteen for the match in Brisbane this weekend. The only change in the forwards sees Rob Simmons return in place of Reds teammate James Horwill and in the backs Christian Leali’ifano replaces Brumbies teammate Matt Toomua at inside centre. This weekend, Adam Ashley-Cooper becomes the sixth Australian player to reach 100 Test Caps and does so at a ground that he has scored some wonderful tries at. Ashley-Cooper has been a mainstay in the Wallabies backline for a number of years and his consistency and fend are two of his strongest assets. On the bench, the mercurial Quade Cooper returns for the first time since last year’s spring tour having recovered from a shoulder reconstruction. Although he has only played three matches in the National Rugby Championship, Quade Cooper is certainly a player that provides some excitement and his nifty footwork and deft passing will be useful against a tiring defense late in the match.
New Zealand:
Two weeks ago, the All Blacks experienced only their second loss under the reins of coach Steve Hansen since 2011. Playing at Ellis Park, the Springboks certainly showed that they are capable of matching it with the All Blacks and I truly believe that this will only strengthen the team from the land of the long white cloud ahead of the Rugby World Cup in England next year. The way in which the Springboks raced to a lead and the All Blacks pegged them back, speaks volumes of the AB’s fight and spirit and their never say die attitude. On the day, it took one of Patrick Lambie’s biggest career goal kicks to conquer the All Blacks. Brodie Retallick was a huge loss last week prior to their match with the Springboks. Retallick’s game continues to go from strength to strength whether it is in the set pieces or in open play. At such a young age, he plays with great maturity and will definitely go close to winning the IRB Player of the Year in 2014. Looking at the backs, Aaron Smith continues to produce quality performances on the back of his slick service and makes life easier for players like Aaron Cruden and Beauden Barrett. Julian Savea continues to cement himself as the world’s best winger with a power and pace combination similar, if not better to that of the great Jonah Lomu. Conrad Smith continues to be Mr. Reliable and despite not possessing the pace that he may have once had, his defensive organisation, decision-making and endurance makes him one of the first names picked on the team sheet every week. It is a pity that we won’t get to see Ben Smith this week, but coach Steve Hansen has given him the week off to refresh ahead of a big USA and European tour scheduled to begin later this month.
Steve Hansen has made five changes to the starting fifteen and a plethora of others on the bench for the team that will face the Wallabies this weekend. The four changes in the forward pack see Wyatt Crockett return in place of Joe Moody, who made his maiden Test start against the Springboks, Dane Coles displaces Kevin Mealamu, the fit again Brodie Retallick replaces Jeremy Thrush in the second row and Liam Messam comes in for Jerome Kaino in the number six jersey. I must admit that I am not completely convinced by Messam in the All Black jersey. He is an exceptional leader and a consistent player at Super Rugby level, but for me he just hasn’t done enough in the International cauldron. Ben Smith’s approved leave has opened the door again for Cory Jane, whose experience probably tipped the decision in his favour over the livewire Charles Piutau. On the bench you’ll find Patrick Tuipulotu, Sam Cane, TJ Perenara and Charles Piutau alongside Kevin Mealamu, Ben Franks and the versatile Colin Slade. It is interesting to note that Aaron Cruden has once again been left out of the squad, which gives Beauden Barrett another chance to cement himself as New Zealand’s premier flyhalf.
Prediction:
Despite the All Blacks being presented with The Rugby Championship trophy and the Bledisloe Cup for 12th consecutive season, there will be no shortage of passion and determination given the rich rivalry between these two rugby powerhouses. The All Blacks have barely put a foot wrong this season, while the Wallabies have improved, but still have a long way to go. The final match of the southern hemisphere rugby season will see both the All Blacks and the Wallabies experiment with some new combinations ahead of the Autumn International series in Europe in November. Suncorp Stadium always acts as a ‘16th player’ in Bledisloe Cup matches, but amidst the controversy surrounding the group with regards to the Kurtley Beale saga and the professionalism and success of the All Blacks, it is hard to see the Wallabies within sight of victory in this match – everything is pointing to a solid All Blacks win.
Predicted result: All Blacks to win @ $1.28 – Sportingbet
Best Bet 1: New Zealand -8.5 (vs Australia) @ $1.91 – Sportingbet
Golden Lions ($1.61) vs Sharks ($2.30)
The world famous Ellis Park will play host to a semi-final clash between the Golden Lions and the Sharks on Saturday night. In a match that sees the number two ranked team (Lions) play the number three ranked team (Sharks), little separates them with both teams having won seven matches this year. However, the Lions have been without doubt the best attacking team in the Currie Cup this year and they also possess the best defense, alongside the number one ranked team, Western Province. Coach Johann Ackermann has the Lions playing their best rugby in years situated around the best scrum in the competition and a back row that has been causing a lot of problems for many teams. They are a team that has been playing together for a few years and their performances have shown that. The Sharks have found some form in recent weeks after having a slow start to the season including a narrow three point win over the Lions in Durban almost three weeks ago. However, I have to back the consistency of the Lions and think they will get up at home.
Predicted result: Lions to win @ $1.61 – Sportingbet
Best Bet 2: Lions -2.5 (vs Sharks) @ $1.87 – Sportingbet
Western Province ($1.33) vs Blue Bulls ($1.78)
One of the most picturesque grounds in South Africa, Newlands Stadium will host the second semi-final of the Currie Cup this weekend. Western Province secured pole position two weeks ago when they beat the Free State Cheetahs in a high-scoring affair, however, they were brought back down to earth last weekend when they were eclipsed by the Sharks in Cape Town. Western Province will face the Blue Bulls of Pretoria this week, a team that had a disastrous start to the tournament losing three of their first four. In saying that, the Bulls have really hit their straps in the last two weekends and are bringing a great deal of momentum into this fixture, albeit against lower ranked teams. When these two powerhouses clash, whether it be at Currie Cup or Super Rugby level, whoever dictates play in the forwards generally prevails. Both teams have huge packs and despite the inclusion of Handre Pollard for the Bulls, the back three that Western Province possess, are dangerous and I expect at least one of them to get on the score sheet in a fairly comfortable victory.
Predicted result: Western Province to win @ $1.33 – Sportingbet
Best Bet 3: Western Province – 6.5 (vs Blue Bulls) @ $1.90 – Sportingbet
Please Note:
All of the above are the opinions of the author and are not recommendations or advice. The author may not be taking every bet listed above. Bet at your own risk.
All of our information is provided free. If you want to show your support, if you are wanting to join a new bookmaker, please use our banners. Thanks.
