2015 Bledisloe Cup – can Australia break the Eden Park curse?

Wallabies vs. All Blacks from 5.35pm AEST, Eden Park, New Zealand

THE BLEDISLOE Cup is on the line at Eden Park this Saturday and the Australian Wallabies are looking to end an 11-year winning streak at that venue.

The All Blacks looked out of sorts last Saturday in Sydney, but rest assured they will come out firing as they look to defend the Bledisloe Cup on a ground they simply don’t lose on.

The last time the All Blacks lost at Eden Park was in 1994 and the bookmakers haven’t missed a beat. Despite putting in one of their worst performances against Australia, the bookmakers have made the All Blacks very short favourites to retain the Bledisloe Cup for another year.

Both teams are preparing for the World Cup in just over a month and winning this game will give either team good momentum leading into that.

Both teams have strong line ups and this game could go either way.

Bledisloe Cup Game 2 odds

New Zealand – $1.22 (-10.5)
Australia – $4.00 (+10.5)

It’s not surprising that the All Blacks are the warm favourites for this clash, but we’re expecting plenty of money to come rolling in for the Australians.

The $2.80 looked like value last week, therefore, the $4.00 available this week looks even more so. We are not saying Australia are going to win, because history tells us they won’t even get close, but their head-to-head price looks tasty regardless.

The points spread line will get the bulk of the attention from punters. The line is 11.5 at some outlets, including CrownBet.com.au, so if you’re looking at taking Australia with the points, it’s best to head there.

On the contrary, if you want to back the All Blacks, the -10.5 is the better option at $1.90 with Sportsbet.com.au as you have more chance of covering.

Margin betting market:

New Zealand 13+ @ $2.10
New Zealand 1-12 @ $2.50
Australia 1-12 @ $5.25
Australia 13+ @ $14
Draw @ $26

Punters that expect the All Blacks to win convincingly will be looking towards the New Zealand 13+ option at $2.10.

The price is a little higher and most punters thinking is that if the All Blacks are going to win by 11, they will probably also cover a line of 13. The most common winning margins in rugby union are 3, 5, 8, 10 and 13, therefore there is no real risk in the points differential between the 10.5 and the 13+.

Bledisloe Cup winning predictions

There are a few ways to bet the Bledisloe Cup this Saturday and we have listed them below.

• Take the All Blacks to win at $1.22 and add some value in your multi-bets.
• More risk, but take the All Blacks at either -10.5 or 13+ at $2.10.
• Abandon all theory and take Australia to win at $4.00

We think the All Blacks will come to play this weekend. New Zealand would likely go into disarray if they were to lose their last two matches heading into the World Cup, so we can’t see them losing this game.

The Eden Park hoodoo is real and for some reason or another, the All Blacks simply don’t lose in Auckland. The sold-out crowd dressed in black is a daunting place to play rugby, so expect a more dominant display for the world’s best team.

Team line ups and first try scorer odds

All Blacks:

Julian Savea – $8.50
Nehe Milner-Skudder – $8.50
Ben Smith – $11 at CrownBet.com.au
Conrad Smith – $15
Ma’a Nonu – $15
Aaron Smith – $15
TJ Perenara – $17
Malakai Fekitoa – $17
Kieran Reid – $17
Colin Slade – $21
Dan Carter – $21
Jerome Kaino – $21
Sam Cane – $21
Victor Vito – $21
Richie McCaw – $21
Dane Coles – $26
Kevin Mealamu – $26
Brodie Retallick – $36
Sam Whitelock – $41
Tony Woodcock – $46
Nepo Laulala – $46
Wyatt Crockett – $46
Owen Franks – $46

Wallabies:

Kurtley Beale – $15
Henry Speight – $15
Adam Ashley-Cooper – $15
Israel Folau – $15
Tevita Kuridrani – $20
Matt Toomua – $26 ($6 to score any time at Sportsbet)
Matt Giteau – $26
David Pocock – $34
Wycliff Palu – $34
Nic White -$34
Quade Cooper – $36
Michael Hooper – $41
Tatafu Polota-Nau – $46
Scott Fardy – $46
Stephen Moore – $51
Will Skelton – $56
James Horwill – $67
Sekope Kepu – $67
Scott Sio – $67
Dean Mumm – $67
Kane Douglas – $67
James Slipper – $81
Greg Holmes – $81