2021 Rugby Championship – Australia vs New Zealand Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When is Australia vs New Zealand taking place? Australia vs New Zealand will take place on Sunday 5th September, 2021 at 07:00 (UK)
Where is Australia vs New Zealand taking place? Australia vs New Zealand will take place at Optus Stadium in Perth
Where can I get tickets for Australia vs New Zealand? Ticket information for Australia vs New Zealand can be found on each country’s official rugby union website
What TV channel is Australia vs New Zealand on in the UK? Sky Sports will be showing Australia vs New Zealand live
Where can I stream Australia vs New Zealand in the UK? Sky Sports subscribers can stream Australia vs New Zealand live on Sky Go
THE TEAM NEWS
Australia: 15 Tom Banks, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Noah Lolesio, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper (c), 6 Lachlan Swinton, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Darcy Swain, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper
Replacements: 16 Lachlan Lonergan, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Taniela Tupou, 19 Izack Rodda, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Nic White, 22 Reece Hodge, 23 Jordan Petaia
New Zealand: 15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Anton Lienert-Brown, 12 David Havili, 11 Rieko Ioane, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Brad Weber, 8 Ardie Savea (c), 7 Dalton Papalii, 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 George Bower
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Angus Ta’avao, 19 Tupou Vaa’i, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 TJ Perenara, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 George Bridge
THE PREDICTION
Australia will be desperate to avoid a clean sweep in the Bledisloe Cup by avoiding defeat to New Zealand here. The All Blacks have had some issues with depth of experience in the squad but a week to adjust to the time difference in Perth should allay any nerves associated with the recent vivid-19 related interruptions. The All Blacks retained the Bledisloe Cup last time out with a record 57-22 score over the Wallabies in Auckland and those high spirits should not have dwindled too much in the delay, with that last match coming over two weeks ago.
Realistically, an Australian victory is highly unlikely at this moment in time with the All Blacks together in adversity and the Wallabies a little disjointed. The covid-related background noise might have some kind of effect on performances but New Zealand should still be able to cover -15 in victory here in what should be a significantly lower-scoring match than the last.
