The first action in Round 5 of the Rugby Championship comes from Auckland on Saturday where New Zealand look to bounce back from a huge setback in the previous round when they clash with Australia.
New Zealand v Australia, Saturday 27th September, Auckland, KO 07:05 (South African time)
Referee: Andrea Piardi (FIR)
Assistant Referees: Matthew Carley (RFU), Morné Ferreira (SARU)
TMO: Marius Jonker (SARU)
Weather Forecast – Auckland
New Zealand:
The All Blacks were supported on the bookmakers main handicap for the Round 4 clash with South Africa in Wellington, starting the game at around -6.5 point favourites. However they were completely overwhelmed in the second half and crashed to a record margin defeat on home soil, going down 43-10. The first score of the game came from a Lee Roy Carter try and they led 10-7 at half time but failed to add to their tally as the Boks ran in 5 second half tries.
The All Blacks first clash with South Africa came in Auckland in Round 3 and they eventually ran out winners 24-17. New Zealand were in Argentina for the first 2 rounds of the tournament. A full house of log points in a 41-24 victory over Los Pumas in Round 1 was a perfect start but they paid the price for ill discipline in their Round 2 defeat (29-23) to in Buenos Aires.
New Zealand come into Round 5 in third place, 1 point behind Australia and level with South Africa but their points difference has taken a huge hammering. After this game they finish up with another clash with Australia when they travel to Perth. In the outright betting to win the tournament the All Blacks are 14/10 second favourites with Hollywoodbets
Australia:
Australia were 5.5 point favourites for their Round 4 clash with Argentina in Sydney and as was the case when the teams met in Round 3, it produced a nail biter. Los Pumas edged the contest 28-26 and much of the damage was done in the first half with the Wallabies going into the break 19-7 down. That deficit stretched to 21 points with just 16 minutes remaining before 3 late Australian tries threatened a stunning comeback. Australia lost the game but scored 4 tries to 1 including a brace for Filipo Daugunu.
In the first clash with Los Pumas in Townsville in Round 3 the Wallabies were also in some trouble at half time when they trailed 21-7 but they fought back in the second half and a try 6 minutes after the hooter gave them a 28-24 victory.
Australia defied the odds to beat South Africa in Round 1 in Joburg thanks to a sterling comeback from 22-0 down early on to come out on top 38-22, their first win in South Africa since 2011. They couldn't follow up in Cape Town in Round 2 when they went down to the Boks 30-22.
The Wallabies finished Round 4 at the top of the log with 11 points, 1 better off than South Africa and New Zealand and 2 in front of Argentina. After this Australia host the All Blacks in Perth in the final round and they are now 10/1 shots to win the Rugby Championship with Hollywoodbets
Recent Head to Head
2024 RC Wellington New Zealand 33-13 Australia
2024 RC Sydney Australia 28-31 New Zealand
2023 RC Melbourne Australia 7-38 New Zealand
2022 RC Auckland New Zealand 40-14 Australia
2022 RC Melbourne Australia 37-39 New Zealand
Team News
New Zealand: 15 Will Jordan, 14 Leroy Carter, 13 Billy Proctor, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Caleb Clarke, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Ardie Savea (captain), 6 Simon Parker, 5 Tupou Vaa’i, 4 Fabian Holland, 3 Tyrel Lomax, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Ethan de Groot.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Tamaiti Williams, 18 Fletcher Newell, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Peter Lakai, 21 Cortez Ratima, 22 Quinn Tupaea, 23 Damian McKenzie
Australia: 15 Max Jorgensen, 14 Harry Potter, 13 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Corey Toole, 10 James O’Connor, 9 Tate McDermott, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Tom Hooper, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Nick Frost, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Billy Pollard, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Allan Alaalatoa, 19 Jeremy Williams, 20 Carlo Tizzano, 21 Ryan Lonergan, 22 Tane Edmed, 23 Filipo Daugunu
The Betting
Average early show, subject to change
New Zealand -12.5 points at 9/10
Australia +12.5 points at 9/10
Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
This Weeks Bets
Brent Graham's betting angle and plays for Week 5 of the Rugby Championship will be posted on this Blog.
Likewise the Womens RWC Final bets will be posted in this blog and we also have previews and a blog for the opening round of the URC.
Finally, all this week's rugby tips from members of the Goodforthegame community can be found on the weekly rugby thread on our brand new discussion forum. If you haven't done so already, register a forum account here.