The first of the two 2026 Bledisloe Cup Tests between New Zealand and Australia takes place at Eden Park in Auckland on Saturday. The All Blacks will be looking to bounce back from their series loss against South Africa, while the Wallabies arrive in New Zealand full of confidence after an impressive victory over the Springboks.
New Zealand v Australia, Eden Park, Auckland, kick-off 08h10, Saturday 10 October
Referee: Andrew Brace (Ireland)
Assistant Referees: Luke Pearce (England), Damian Schneider (Argentina)
TMO: Mike Adamson (Scotland)
Weather Forecast – Auckland
New Zealand
New Zealand head into the opening Bledisloe Cup Test having lost their last three matches, all against South Africa. The All Blacks won the opening Test of the four-match series 33-16 but subsequently suffered defeats of 33-26, 29-24 and 43-28.
The 3-1 series defeat will have been a disappointing start to Dave Rennie's tenure in the big rivalry, but New Zealand now return to the venue where they have been virtually unbeatable.
The All Blacks are unbeaten in their last 53 Tests at Eden Park, with their last defeat at the ground coming against France in 1994. Their record against Australia at the Auckland venue is equally impressive, with New Zealand winning 30 of the 34 previous meetings.
Codie Taylor will captain the All Blacks in place of Ardie Savea, who is unavailable following shoulder surgery. The squad also includes the experienced Richie Mo'unga and the returning Scott Barrett.
Australia
Australia arrive in Auckland in high spirits.
The Wallabies are unbeaten in their last six Tests under Les Kiss, with the run including three victories over Japan, a 28-28 draw against Argentina and their most recent result, an outstanding 42-38 victory over South Africa in Perth.
That win was particularly impressive as Australia built a 42-17 lead against the world champions before surviving a remarkable late comeback. The result will give the Wallabies considerable confidence heading into what is arguably their toughest Test of the year.
However, their record at Eden Park remains a major concern. Australia have not beaten the All Blacks at the venue since 1986 and have suffered 21 consecutive defeats there.
Recent head-to-head results
27 September 2025: New Zealand 33-24 Australia – Auckland
4 October 2025: Australia 14-28 New Zealand – Perth
21 September 2024: Australia 28-31 New Zealand – Sydney
15 September 2024: New Zealand 33-13 Australia – Auckland
5 August 2023: New Zealand 23-20 Australia – Melbourne
29 July 2023: New Zealand 38-7 Australia – Auckland
15 September 2022: New Zealand 40-14 Australia – Melbourne
24 September 2022: Australia 17-39 New Zealand – Auckland
15 August 2021: Australia 21-38 New Zealand – Sydney
7 August 2021: New Zealand 33-25 Australia – Auckland
The All Blacks have won the last 11 Tests between the sides, with Australia's most recent victory coming in 2020.
Team news
New Zealand: 15 Beauden Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Quinn Tupaea, 12 Jordie Barrett, 11 Leroy Carter, 10 Damian McKenzie, 9 Cam Roigard, 8 Wallace Sititi, 7 Peter Lakai, 6 Tupou Vaa’i, 5 Josh Lord, 4 Scott Barrett, 3 Fletcher Newell, 2 Codie Taylor (captain), 1 Ethan De Groot.
Replacements: 16 Asafo Aumua, 17 George Bower, 18 Pasilio Tosi, 19 Shannon Frizell, 20 Anton Segner, 21 Kyle Preston, 22 Rieko Ioane, 13 Josh Moorby
Australia: 15 Tom Wright, 14 Max Jorgensen, 13 Isaac Henry, 12 Len Ikitau, 11 Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii, 10 Ben Donaldson, 9 Ryan Lonergan, 8 Harry Wilson (captain), 7 Fraser McReight, 6 Rob Valetini, 5 Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, 4 Jeremy Williams, 3 Allan Alaalatoa, 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa, 1 Angus Bell.
Replacements: 16 Josh Nasser, 17 Aidan Ross, 18 Massimo De Lutiis, 19 Lachlan Shaw, 20 Nick Champion de Crespigny, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 Declan Meredith, 23 Harry Potter
The Betting
Updated 8 Oct (after team news)
New Zealand -12.5
Australia +12.5
Odds quoted were available at the time of writing but are subject to change.
BETTING ANGLE – betting updates and tips to be posted here, newest on top
Bet: New Zealand v Australia
Posted 09 October 23h18
3 units (1–5): Australia +13.5 points at 9/10 with Betxchange
I’ve been trying to decide whether to back Australia on the handicap or take under 58.5 points, and I’ve settled on the former.
Australia are still generally available at +11.5, but for some reason Betxchange have +13.5 on offer, so I’m going to grab that now.
I haven’t seen any team-news announcements that would justify a two-point difference, and I’m just hoping I haven’t missed anything.
Money for the Aussies
Posted 9 October 13h49
Having touched +14.5 earlier in the week, money continues to come for Australia, with +11.5 currently on offer. The total points line remains stable at 58.5.
The latest forecast for Auckland suggests there may be some rain earlier in the day, but conditions should clear comfortably ahead of kick-off. That said, I remain very much in the unders camp at this stage.
I’ll be back between now and kick-off with another bet or two.
Bet: New Zealand v Australia
Posted 8 October 22h53
1 unit (1–5): Australia to win at 4.25/1 with World Sports Betting
I’m starting to get quite excited about this Bledisloe Cup Test and am going to open things up with a bet on Australia to win the game.
Earlier in the week, I was leaning more towards the All Blacks on the handicap. However, I’m not particularly keen on the side New Zealand have selected, and I think Australia can stay in touch and are worth a nibble to sneak the win.
My bigger plays will come in the handicap or points markets, or quite possibly both and all bets will be posted in this preview.
Money for Australia
Posted 08 Oct 12h31
The teams have been announced and Australia are in from +14.5 to +12.5.
Points stable at 58.5
Points set at 58.5
Posted 06 Oct 17h05
The points line is out and it is 58.5
New Zealand have edged a point out from -13.5 to -14.5 in the handicap market
Betting stable in the early going
Posted 06 Oct
There has been no real betting movement in the early part of the week and that is unlikely to change, at least until the teams are announced
All our URC bets will be posted in the Round 3 blog
See what other punters fancy and have your say in the Rugby Forum thread
Disclaimer: Odds are subject to change. Please gamble responsibly. No bet is guaranteed to win.