All Blacks can cover against Waratahs-laden Wallabies

The All Blacks have won their last two Sydney matches versus the Wallabies by one-point margins but the Rugby World Cup champions are sufficiently superior to their old foes to cover the line at ANZ Stadium on Saturday 18 August 2012.

Generally, bookmakers have set the spread at six and a half points and that line, critically under the seven points for a converted line, looks a little on the low side considering the strengths and weaknesses of the respective teams.

Look at Australia`s starting line-up and one thing sticks out like a sore thumb: the fact that more than half of the team are Waratahs despite the Sydney-based team having a Super Rugby season to forget. It was a total nightmare.

The Waratahs won only four 2012 Super Rugby games and three of their victories came against the Australian Conference lightweights, the Rebels (two) and the Force (one). That Wallabies coach Robbie Deans has picked eight Waratahs to start versus New Zealand, including an-all Waratahs front row of Benn Robinson, Tatafu Polota-Nau and Sekope Kepu, has led to widespread criticism from journalists and fans alike.

Australia may not have won the Bledisloe Cup since 2002 but, usually, it is competitive against New Zealand outside the Land of the Long White Cloud. That, it seems, is the only reason why the line is not greater than six and a half points because there is little else about which to cheer.

Everyone is predicting that the All Blacks will destroy the Wallabies up front and that their midfield runners, Sonny Bill Williams and Ma`a Nonu, are set to have a field day running at their opposite numbers, Anthony Faingaa and Rob Horne. New Zealand enjoys a considerable size advantage, both in the forwards and in the centre three-quarters.

As ever, the All Blacks look capable of scoring lots of points. The Wallabies, though, look like they will succeed or fail on how well Berrick Barnes goes at five-eighth. He got the nod ahead of Quade Cooper in what could be another selection decision that backfires in the face of Deans.

Back New Zealand to take a huge step towards retaining the Bledisloe Cup by beating Australia, whose coach could be heading for the unemployment queue unless his gambles pay off, by more than six and a half points in Sydney.

The Rugby Championship came into being because the Tri Nations had to go once Argentina joined Australia, New Zealand and South Africa in what is the world`s highest quality international rugby union tournament.

The Pumas make their debut against the Springboks and bookmakers expect them to lose by around 14 points.

The Newlands game does not make as much betting appeal as the one at ANZ Stadium, although it is worth noting that Argentina has not beaten South Africa in a Test match.

Indeed, the Pumas have not registered a single victory over the All Blacks or the Springboks. They have, however, got the better of the Wallabies on four occasions since 1979.

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19/08/2012     © Frixo 2024