NEW ZEALAND v AUSTRALIA: Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Championship

24.08.2013

Venue: Westpac Stadium, Wellington

Referee: Jaco Payper (South Africa)

Preview
Australia have it all against it as it endeavours to climb back from a 29-47 defeat in Sydney last weekend. Coach Mckenzie has stuck with his original lineup except for an injury to Hugh McMeniman.

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen brings in rookie Tom Taylor (yet another Canterbury first five) and make what looks like a few rotational changes to his bench.

I can’t see Australia getting close in this one.

Last Five Encounters
17.08.2013 New Zealand 47-29 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Champ.)20.10.2012 Drawn 18-18 in Brisbane (Bledisloe Cup)
25.08.2012 New Zealand 22-0 in Auckland (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Champ.)
18.08.2012 New Zealand 27-19 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup, Rugby Champ.)
16.10.2011 New Zealand 20-6 in Auckland (World Cup, Semi-final)

New Zealand Last Five
17.08.2013 v Australia W 47-29 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Champ.)
22.06.2013 v France W 24-9 in New Plymouth
15.06.2013 v France W 30-0 in Christchurch
08.06.2013 v France W 23-13 in Auckland
01.12.2012 v England L 21-38 at Twickenham

Australia Last Five
17.08.2013 v New Zealand L 29-47 in Sydney (Bledisloe Cup; Rugby Champ.)
06.07.2013 v British and Irish Lions L 16-41 in Sydney
29.06.2013 v British and Irish Lions W 16-15 in Melbourne
22.06.2013 v British and Irish Lions L 21-23 in Brisbane
01.12.2012 v Wales W 14-12 in Cardiff
24.11.2012 v Italy W 22-19 in Florence

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: New Zealand 4th, Australia 11th
Oceania Table: New Zealand 1st, Australia 2nd

IRB Ranking Points
New Zealand 91.55, Australia 85.41

Prediction: New Zealand by 20 points.

Milestones
Tony Woodcock will play his 100th test for New Zealand
Australia last won against New Zealand in New Zealand back in 2002.

TEAMS

New Zealand

15		Israel Dagg	Hawkes Bay
14		Benjamin Smith	Otago
13		Conrad Smith	Wellington
12		Ma'a Nonu	Auckland
11		Julian Savea	Wellington
10		Thomas Taylor	Canterbury
9		Aaron Smith	Manawatu
8		Kieran Read	Canterbury
7		Richie McCaw (Capt.)	Canterbury
6		Steven Luatua	Auckland
5		Samuel Whitelock	Canterbury
4		Brodie Retallick	Bay of Plenty
3		Owen Franks	Canterbury
2		Andrew Hore	Taranaki
1		Tony Woodcock	North Harbour
16		Daniel Coles	Wellington
17		Wayne Crockett	Canterbury
18		Charlie Faumuina	Auckland
19		Jeremy Thrush	Wellington
20		Samuel Cane	Bay of Plenty
21		Tawera Kerr-Barlow	Waikato
22		Colin Slade	Canterbury
23		Charles Piutau	Auckland
		HEAD COACH: Steven Hansen

Australia

15		Jesse Mogg	ACT Brumbies
14		Israel Folau	NSW Waratahs
13		Adam Ashley-Cooper	NSW Waratahs
12		Christian Leali’ifano	ACT Brumbies
11		James O’Connor	Melbourne Rebels
10		Matthew Toomua	ACT Brumbies
9		William Genia	Queensland Reds
8		Benjamin Mowen	ACT Brumbies
7		Michael Hooper	NSW Waratahs
6		Scott Fardy	ACT Brumbies
5		James Horwell (Capt.)	Queensland Reds
4		Robert Simmons	Queensland Reds
3		Benjamin Alexander	ACT Brumbies
2		Stephan Moore	ACT Brumbies
1		James Slipper	Queensland Reds
16		Saia Fainga’a	Queensland Reds
17		Scott Sio	ACT Brumbies
18		Sekope Kepu	NSW Waratahs
19		Kane Douglas	NSW Waratahs
20		Liam Gill	Queensland Reds
21		Nicholas White	ACT Brumbies
22		Quade Cooper	Queensland Reds
23		Tevita Kuridrani	ACT Brumbies
		HEAD COACH: Ewan McKenzie