All Blacks to Pass Trans-Tasman Test

Betting online is possible for all Rugby Championship games, and it doesn’t get much bigger than New Zealand vs Australia.

New Zealand Short-Handed

The All Blacks won their 19th consecutive Bledisloe Cup on Aug. 14 and they’re now looking to seize control of the Rugby Championship.

They should have plenty of expat support in Perth, but they will be without captain Sam Whitlock, Aaron Smith, Richie Mo’unga and Dane Coles. It’s a big loss for the All Blacks, but they still have an incredible roster.

Ardie Savea has been named captain for the first time in his career, something the 27-year-old is welcoming.

“To be able to lead such a team, it’s out of this world when I think about it,” Savea told The New Zealand Herald. “And to be able to tell Mum and Dad was huge.

“I’m still in awe. It’s a team that you dream of as a kid, and being able to lead is amazing. I’m lost for words and really grateful.”

We note reports that the 2021 All Blacks might be away from home for a couple of months. Compare that to this team (the 1888-89 New Zealand Natives). They were away for 14 months (14months!) & played 109 games (109 games!) on their world tour. … and they never complained once. pic.twitter.com/ewsmQly2Er

Keith Quinn (@KeithQuinn88) August 27, 2021

Without Aaron Smith at halfback, look for Beauden Barrett and his brothers to take over. Beauden, Jordie and Scott will relish the conditions in Perth, and it’s a chance for Beauden to show why he’s still a force at the first-five position.

He lost the position to Mo’unga when he signed to play rugby in Japan. He lost some of spark, but Australia should be worried about what he has to offer.

The sportsbook has New Zealand at -1400 to win the game outright and -17½ in spread betting markets. It’s a fair line given the most recent result (57-22), and we expect it to shorten throughout the week.

Australia Needs Rethink

There isn’t much going right for Australian rugby at the moment. They have looked slightly better with New Zealander Dave Rennie at the helm, but it’s a far cry from where they used to be.

The former World Cup winners used to be a force in rugby, but the Wallabies have slipped to fifth in the world. We could make a case for other teams being put ahead of them, but there is still time before the 2023 World Cup for Australia to turn it around.

🙌 Loving the support out West!#Wallabies pic.twitter.com/85P7DAVPVi

Wallabies (@wallabies) August 23, 2021

It starts on Sunday against the All Blacks, and Australia should look to its 2020 Rugby Championship win in Sydney. It was an excellent win, and although it didn’t have any impact on the Rugby Championship standings, they should look to that win for confidence.

It’s a young side that still has plenty of growing to do, but the inexperience has been exposed by the All Blacks. A structural and strategic change is needed if the Wallabies are to cover the spread.

All Blacks vs Wallabies Pick

We are firmly in the camp of the All Blacks. They are a much better team and they have the ability to pile on the points.

It hasn’t been the smoothest preparation with the All Blacks heading to a bar in Auckland where Covid was linked. However, they’re all expected to play and we see the spread betting line moving only one way.

Take the -17½ line before it moves.

Pick: All Blacks (New Zealand) -17½ (-135)