The Wallabies and the All Blacks meet for the first time in the 2010 Tri Nations and Bledisloe Cup when they clash in Melbourne on Saturday and the bookmakers have the visitors installed as firm favourites.

Australia were impressive in disposing of a jaded Boks side last week but despite a convincing winning margin of 17 points they will have felt that they left a couple of tries out on the pitch. Deans has made 2 changes with Barnes in for the suspended Cooper (he starts in 12 with Giteau shifting to 10) and Moore in for Faingaa at hooker.

The All Blacks chalked up bonus point victories in both clashes against the Boks and on each occasion they comfortably delivered for handicap punters as well. Fresh after a week off Cowan and Rokocoko are included in the starting lineup at the expense of Ranger and Weepu at scrumhalf and wing with Weepu getting into town late after becoming a Dad.

BETTING

Australia 3/1 at GreatOdds

Draw 28/1 at Mbet

New Zealand 7/20 at Betxchange, World Sports Betting and Victor Chandler

Handicap

Australia +9 at 5/6 with GreatOdds

New Zealand -7.5 at 9/10 with Betxchange, World Sports Betting, Mbet and Victor Chandler

HISTORY

New Zealand has won 7 matches in a row against Australia and that includes the last 2 clashes in Australia:

2009: 18-19 (AB’s by1)
2008: 24-28 (AB’s by 4)

The sides have met 3 times in Melbourne with Australia edging the head to head 2-1 including a 20-15 win the last time the teams played here in 2008.

BETTING ANGLE

The bookmakers have certainly placed the handicap wisely this week and nothing jumps off the screen as brilliant value. Both sides looked impressive against the Boks but given the form of the defending champions it is also fair to say that this match may be the first real test for either side.

While they have lost 7 in a row against their Bledisloe Cup rivals Australia have managed to keep things tight at home losing by under 5 points on both occasions during this streak and I reckon they can do the same again.

BET: 3 units Australia +9 at 5/6 with GreatOdds

On the spreads front there will be a couple of factors to take into account. One of course is the weather and there is a chance of light rain and the other is the state of the pitch which by all accounts is shocking. It may be a match to sell points or shirts although the better option may be to wait until the fixed odds line comes out and to have a punt on unders along the lines of what rugby analyst Sean Nicholas suggests in the weekends rugby podcast.

I will post any additional bets in this thread of our discussion forum where other punters are already sharing their views.

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