Bledisloe Cup: New Zealand v Australia betting preview, free tips & TV details

TV: Sky Sports Action, 8.35am Saturday

New Zealand head coach Steve Hansen has reacted to last weekend's shock 47-26 defeat to Australia in Perth by making five changes to his starting line-up for this Saturday's second Bledisloe Cup battle in Auckland.

However, while the Wallabies were worthy winners, finally aligning again a solid set-piece display to their usual breakdown tenacity and quicksilver backs-moves after a spell in the doldrums, this should not be seen as a panic measure on Hansen's part.

The All Blacks look worth a wager to inflict a 23rd straight home success over their trans-Tasman rivals by a margin of between 11 and 20 points.

Only the absence of winger Rieko Ioane is something of a surprise. Lock Scott Barrett, sent off on the stroke of half-time at Optus Stadium with the score at 13-12, is banned.

Jack Goodhue has tweaked a hamstring so Sonny Bill Williams returns to the midfield with Anton Lienert-Brown switching to outside centre. Stalwarts Ben Smith and Owen Franks were always likely to have their game-time managed before the World Cup.

Hansen did say in the team announcement that he was disappointed with the form of Ioane, Smith and Franks but he also reiterated that the plan was always to have another look at free-scoring Crusaders wings George Bridge and Sevu Reece plus Chiefs loosehead prop Nepo Laulala in a pressure-cooker environment and an intense Eden Park with the threat of the Bledisloe Cup going across the ditch for the first time in 17 years is just such a scenario.

The All Blacks players should be pumped up to perform - hooker Dane Coles admitted to a touch of complacency in the Perth aftermath - and they love playing in the City of Sails where they are unbeaten in 41 Tests (40 wins and a draw with the 2017 British & Irish Lions) and have beaten the Wallabies by 22 points or more in the five meetings since a disciplined 20-6 2011 World Cup semi-final triumph.

Recommendation
New Zealand to win by 11-20 points
1pt 13-5 Betfair, Paddy Power

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