New Zealand vs Australia Preview & Prediction | 2026 International
by Trystan Pugh ·
Click here for today’s sports betting tips from our expert analysts!
This latest Bledisloe Cup clash sees New Zealand protect their hugely impressive record at Eden Park against Les Kiss' in-form Australia.
Start date/time:
How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – Not televised
How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – RugbyPass TV
New Zealand team news
Squad: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard; 1 Ethan de Groot, 2 Codie Taylor (c), 3 Fletcher Newell, 4 Scott Barrett, 5 Josh Lord, 6 Tupou Vaa'i, 7 Peter Lakai, 8 Wallace Sititi
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rieko Ioane, 23 Josh Moorby
Australia team news
Squad: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Isaac Henry, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Joseph Aukuso Sua'ali'i, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Ryan Lonergan; 1 Angus Bell, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 4 Jeremy Williams, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 6 Rob Valetini, 7 Fraser McReight, 8 Harry Wilson (c)
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Harry Potter
New Zealand vs Australia prediction
New Zealand welcome Australia to the impregnable Eden Park, where they are currently enjoying a scarcely 32-year unbeaten run, with their last defeat at this stadium coming all the way back in 1994.
The All Blacks are, however, aiming to avoid a fourth straight Test defeat having lost the last three matches of their 'Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry' tour against South Africa recently.
Contrastingly, Australia must surely be on a high after overcoming an admittedly rotated Springboks team 42-38 in Perth a couple of weeks ago. In an extraordinary contest that saw the Wallabies hold on despite ending the match with just 11 men, Les Kiss extended his unbeaten streak since taking the Aussie reigns to five matches.
You'd think that would set us up for an Australian victory here, but All Blacks head coach Dave Rennie has named a strong side for this Bledisloe Cup encounter, and there is an aura about them when they take to the pitch at Eden Park.
We expect Australia to push them close, but we're tipping the hosts to extend their long unbeaten streak on this turf.
New Zealand vs Australia tip: New Zealand to win
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