Australia and New Zealand meet in the second and final Bledisloe Cup Test at Accor Stadium in Sydney on Saturday. The All Blacks have already retained the trophy following their emphatic 50-19 victory at Eden Park, while the Wallabies will be looking for a strong response on home soil.
Australia v New Zealand, Accor Stadium, Sydney, kick-off 06h45 SAST, Saturday 17 October
Referee: Luke Pearce (England)
Assistant Referees: Andrew Brace (Ireland), Damian Schneider (Argentina)
TMO: Marius van der Westhuizen (South Africa)
Weather Forecast – Sydney
Australia
Australia headed into the opening Bledisloe Cup Test on the back of an unbeaten five-match run under Les Kiss, but that sequence came to an abrupt end at Eden Park.
The Wallabies made a promising start and scored the opening try through Tom Wright. They remained firmly in the contest at half-time, with New Zealand holding a narrow 17-14 advantage.
Australia had an opportunity to take the lead early in the second half but failed to convert their pressure into points. The All Blacks then took control, scoring five second-half tries on their way to a convincing 50-19 victory.
The defeat means Australia cannot regain the Bledisloe Cup this year, but they return home looking to produce a much-improved performance in front of their own supporters.
The Wallabies have suffered a setback with centre Len Ikitau ruled out of the Sydney Test after sustaining a head knock during the first half at Eden Park. Jordan Petaia is also unavailable due to an ankle injury, while Hunter Paisami remains suspended.
Corey Toole and Kadin Pritchard have been called into the squad.
New Zealand
New Zealand arrived at Eden Park under pressure following three consecutive defeats against South Africa, but responded with an impressive seven-try performance.
The All Blacks led by only three points at half-time before taking complete control after the break. Cam Roigard, Codie Taylor, Leroy Carter, Josh Moorby and Will Jordan all crossed during a dominant second-half display.
The 50-19 victory extended New Zealand’s unbeaten run at Eden Park to 54 Tests and secured the Bledisloe Cup for a 24th successive year.
New Zealand have also been hit by injuries ahead of the trip to Sydney. Leroy Carter has been ruled out with the high ankle sprain he suffered while scoring at Eden Park, while Asafo Aumua and Anton Segner are unavailable after failing their second head-injury assessments. Ethan Blackadder has been ruled out with a calf injury.
George Bell, Du’Plessis Kirifi, Anton Lienert-Brown and Jamie Hannah have joined the squad as replacements.
Head-to-head
The All Blacks have now won the last 12 meetings between the sides, with Australia’s most recent victory coming in Brisbane in November 2020.
Australia have traditionally been far more competitive against New Zealand at home than across the Tasman, but recent results on Australian soil have still favoured the All Blacks.
New Zealand have won the last five meetings in Australia, beating the Wallabies 38-21 in Perth in 2021, 39-37 in Melbourne in 2022, 38-7 in Melbourne in 2023, 31-28 in Sydney in 2024 and 28-14 in Perth in 2025.
Two of those five matches were decided by three points or fewer, but Australia have not beaten the All Blacks on home soil since their 24-22 victory in Brisbane in 2020.
Recent head-to-head results
10 October 2026: NEW ZEALAND 50-19 Australia – Auckland
4 October 2025: Australia 14-28 NEW ZEALAND – Perth
27 September 2025: NEW ZEALAND 33-24 Australia – Auckland
28 September 2024: NEW ZEALAND 33-13 Australia – Wellington
21 September 2024: Australia 28-31 NEW ZEALAND – Sydney
5 August 2023: NEW ZEALAND 23-20 Australia – Dunedin
29 July 2023: Australia 7-38 NEW ZEALAND – Melbourne
24 September 2022: NEW ZEALAND 40-14 Australia – Auckland
15 September 2022: Australia 37-39 NEW ZEALAND – Melbourne
5 September 2021: Australia 21-38 NEW ZEALAND – Perth
Team news
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Isaac Henry, 11 Harry Potter, 10 Declan Meredith, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Jeremy Williams, 4 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Josh Nasser, 1 Aidan Ross.
Replacements: 16 Billy Pollard, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Josh Canham, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Kalani Thomas, 22 Harry McLaughlin-Phillips, 23 Filipo Daugunu.
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Josh Moorby, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Fabian Holland, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 George Bower.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Xavier Numia, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Du’Plessis Kirifi, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Timoci Tavatavanawai, 23 Rieko Ioane.
The Betting
Updated 15 Oct 07h18
Australia +9.5
New Zealand -8.5
Betting Angle - betting moves, thoughts and tips to be posted here, newest on top
Money for the All Blacks
Posted 15 Oct 19h21
The All Blacks are -10.5 and points 59.5 - what is driving the line move? I talk with The Mossman live at 21h00 - click here to watch live or catch the recording
Teams announced and no immediate market adjustments
Posted 15 Oct 07h17
Both sides have been announced with Declan Meredith in for the injured Ben Donaldson at 10 for the Wallabies the biggest talking point.
There is still generally +8.5 Aussies although I am starting to see the odd 9.5 appear.
Points is steaday at 58.5 with some 59.5 starting to peek in.
Australia +8.5, Points 57.5
Posted 13 Oct 06h23
My Handicap Projection was Australia +10.5 and it has opened +8.5 a kittle bit lower than I expected.
The points line is set at 57.5
I don't expect a lot of movement early in the week.
All betting updates and suggested bets will be posted in this preview as markets become available and team news is confirmed.
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