2020 Tri Nations Series – Australia vs New Zealand Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Australia vs New Zealand taking place? Saturday 31st October, 2020 – 08:45 (UK)
Where is Australia vs New Zealand taking place? ANZ Stadium, Sydney
Where can I get tickets for Australia vs New Zealand? All matches are currently running at a reduced capacity. Click here for more info
What channel is Australia vs New Zealand on? This match will be televised live on Sky Sports
Where can I stream Australia vs New Zealand? Sky Sports subscribers can stream the match live via Sky Go
THE TEAM NEWS
AUSTRALIA
Starting line-up: 15 Dane Haylett-Petty, 14 Filipo Daugunu, 13 Jordan Petaia, 12 Irae Simone, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Nic White, 8 Harry Wilson, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Ned Hanigan, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Jordan Uelese, 17 Scott Sio, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Rob Simmons, 20 Fraser McReight, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Reece Hodge, 23 Hunter Paisami
NEW ZEALAND
Starting line-up: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Jordie Barrett, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 Jack Goodhue, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Richie Mo’unga, 9 Aaron Smith, 8 Hoskins Sotutu, 7 Sam Cane (c), 6 Shannon Frizell, 5 Sam Whitelock, 4 Patrick Tuipulotu, 3 Ofa Tuungafasi, 2 Dane Coles, 1 Karl Tu’inukuafe
Replacements: 16 Codie Taylor, 17 Alex Hodgman, 18 Tyrel Lomax, 19 Scott Barrett, 20 Dalton Papalii, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Ngani Laumape, 23 Rieko Ioane
THE PREDICTION
In an ever-confusing turn of events, this third test of the Bledisloe Cup series has been fused with the beginning of the Rugby Championship series which, in turn, is titled the ‘Tri-Nations Series’ due to South Africa’s decision not to compete. The Bledisloe Cup is finely poised with an opening-night 16-16 draw earlier this month and then a 27-7 home win for the All Blacks in Auckland last time out, so the pressure will be squarely on the Wallabies’ shoulders here. New Zealand have retained the cup since 2003 and will be all the more motivated to do so again on Australia’s turf, not least as it also begins their Tri-Nations campaign strongly. The All Blacks will welcome the return of Rieko Ioane, who starts on the bench after his late withdrawal from their previous match, and both coaches have shuffled their squads quite significantly ahead of this match.
There is so much riding on this test and it remains to be seen how well the All Blacks will cope with the change of scene after back-to-back home matches. However, the two tests so far this series have failed to get past 40 points and that looks a good option here in what could be a real modern classic.
