Predictions: All Blacks to retain Bledisloe Cup

David Skippers

Ahead of the Bledisloe Cup and World Cup warm-ups, we are putting our head on the block and picking our winners from the big matches this weekend.

The main contest this weekend is in Auckland on Saturday where New Zealand and Australia go head-to-head in their Bledisloe Cup clash.

Elsewhere, expect fireworks in Cardiff when Wales and England face off for the second successive week as their preparations for the global showpiece continue, while newly crowned Rugby Championship winners South Africa take on Argentina in Pretoria.

In other action, France and Italy host Scotland and Russia in Nice and San Benedetto del Tronto respectively.

New Zealand v Australia

After securing a convincing 47-26 victory over New Zealand in their first Bledisloe Cup Test, in Perth last weekend, Australia can win the famous trophy for the first time since 2002 if they beat the world champions at Eden Park this weekend.

The Wallabies face a daunting task, however, as Eden Park – where the game is being played – has proven to be a fortress for the All Blacks over the years. Since playing their first match at the famous venue in 1921, the world champions have lost on just 10 occasions from 86 Tests.

The All Blacks are currently on a 25-year undefeated streak at Eden Park while the Wallabies last won a game on New Zealand soil 18 years ago.

Rookie wings George Bridge and Sevu Reece, as well as tighthead prop Nepo Laulala, will be keen to impress after they were included in the world champions’ run-on side as replacements for Rieko Ioane, Ben Smith and Owen Franks respectively, while Adam Coleman will also be hoping to make an impact after coming into the Wallabies’ starting line-up for the injured Rory Arnold.

The All Blacks have their backs to the wall but will be highly motivated to turn the tables on their trans-Tasman rivals. Although Australia will put up a brave fight, the home side will prove too strong. All Blacks by 10.

Wales v England

Like New Zealand, Wales will be out for revenge when they run out in front of their home fans after coming off second best to England in the World Cup warm-up fixture at Twickenham last weekend.

That 33-19 defeat must have been a bitter pill to swallow for Wales head coach Warren Gatland and his charges as it ended their 14-match winning streak and also saw them drop down to second position in the world rankings, after briefly occupying the top spot following New Zealand’s loss to Australia last weekend.

All eyes will be on the fly-half battle between Dan Biggar of Wales and England’s George Ford, who shone in his team’s triumph at Twickeham.

Biggar is a vital cog in Wales’ wheel and there will be extra pressure on him to do well and get through this encounter in one piece after fellow pivot Gareth Anscombe’s World Cup hopes were dashed through injury in last weekend’s corresponding match at Twickenham.

After naming their World Cup squad earlier in the week, England’s players should be under less pressure but their counterparts will not be easy to beat in their own backyard. This game should be a closer affair than the previous one between these sides and we expect the hosts to be victorious. Wales by three.

South Africa v Argentina

The Springboks seem to be hitting their straps at just the right time and will be keen to build on their impressive Rugby Championship form at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria this weekend.

They face a Pumas side that struggled during the recent Rugby Championship and finished at the bottom of the standings at the end of that tournament.

Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus and Pumas counterpart Mario Ledesma have opted to rest most of their first-choice players which presents opportunities to fringe players to stake their claims to be in their respective countries’ World Cup squads.

Although this will be a contest between two second-string teams, this should still be an entertaining encounter, but South Africa’s superior depth will prove too much for their opponents. Springboks by eight.

Other Rugby World Cup warm-up matches

France v Scotland: France by 5
Italy v Russia: Italy by 20

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