Australia v New Zealand predictions and rugby union tips: Hosts can close gap

Free rugby tips, best bets and analysis for Sunday's Bledisloe Cup match between Australia and New Zealand.

Where to watch

Sky Sports Arena, 7am Sunday

Best bet

New Zealand to win by one to 12 points
1pt 11-4 Betfair

Match preview

A much-changed All Blacks team take on Australia looking to complete a Bledisloe clean sweep, and given the strength in depth of the New Zealand squad it's hard to bet against them.

The half-back pairing of Aaron Smith and Richie Mo'unga, who were the team's engine room in the two home victories over the Wallabies, have been left at home along with skipper Sam Whitelock.

But when you have a player of the calibre of Beauden Barrett ready to step in at number ten and Brad Weber starting at scrum-half, there should be no dip in performance.

Australia's 57-22 defeat in Bledisloe II will have hurt the team after they battled hard in a 33-25 defeat in Auckland the week before, when the hosts were particularly poor in the first half.

And the Wallabies will be fired up by their sense of anger at their opponents for pulling out of this fixture at short notice last month and leaving them in isolation in Perth.

The All Blacks showed a certain vulnerability in that opening game and might not have it all their own way so a handicap in the high teens is off-putting.

But the class and calibre of the New Zealand line-up should see them through and backing a narrow win looks the value option.

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