New Zealand vs. Australia: Preview, Prediction for 2016 Bledisloe Cup Game 2

New Zealand host Australia in the second game of the Bledisloe Cup at the Westpac Stadium, Wellington, on Saturday with a chance to claim their 44th title victory in the competition.

The tie comes a week after the All Blacks routed the Wallabies 42-8 in the tournament's opening match in Sydney.

The world champions took no prisoners at the ANZ Stadium, with tries from Ryan Crotty, Beauden Barrett, Jerome Kaino and Waisake Naholo helping them race into a 32-3 advantage at the break.

Such was New Zealand’s superiority over their competitors, it looked as though they could claim a record victory over the Wallabies, with a 43-6 win in 1996 the standard. Those hopes seemed to disappear, though, when captain Kieran Read found his way to the sin bin with just 15 minutes on the clock. 

The game is set to be another stern test for this developing Australia side, who have won the cup only 12 times in their history.

Preview

Rob Griffith/Associated Press

The embarrassing home defeat has outlined major weaknesses in the Wallabies lineup, and Rob Simmons is one of the victims of coach Michael Cheika's reshuffle. In his place comes Adam Coleman, who has just the single Test cap to his name, according to the Daily Telegraph. He'll partner Kane Douglas as Australia seek to regain some pride. 

Perhaps the most notable name to be given a recall for the Wallabies is fly-half Quade Cooper, who will line up in Cheika's system as a five-eighth. Next to him will be Bernard Foley at inside centre, while Samu Kerevi will slide in at outside centre. With their Bledisloe Cup hopes dangling by a thread, Australia must secure their first victory on New Zealand soil since 2001 in order to have any chance of clinching the cup.

Cooper is quite a controversial figure as far as New Zealand are concerned, with the player engaging in numerous on-field clashes with now-retired All Blacks skipper Richie McCaw between 2008 to 2011. However, All Blacks coach Steve Hansen believes the playmaker will increase Australia’s chances of success.

“Quade’s a good player, he gets maligned a wee bit over here because of a few incidents with Richie,” Hansen told Jamie Pandaram of the Daily Telegraph. "We’re not too forgiving of people who pick on Rich—I’m talking about the fans. Within the team he’s well respected. He’ll enhance them, I think.”

The All Blacks Twitter account confirmed Cooper, pictured in the scrum cap, is back in the Australia side:

Although Cooper, who has dabbled in boxing, has talent and can create openings for his team-mates with swerving runs and intelligent passing, he is coming off a mixed season. 

He was not selected for Australia's rugby sevens team for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and had a brief stint at French club Toulon, where he failed to find his top form. 

The 28-year-old has also historically struggled in New Zealand, but Cheika has clearly been tempted by his attack-minded style and his partnership with long-time former team-mate Will Genia, who remains at halfback.

The 6'8" Will Skelton will take a place on the New Zealand bench alongside Dean Mumm, who is likely to be used as an aerial weapon.

Cheika has also decided to bring Brumbies blindside flanker Scott Fardy into the squad and drop Ben McCalman, as noted by the Australian Associated Press (h/t the Guardian). Elsewhere, Reece Hodge could make his Wallabies Test debut from the bench.

Fox Sports News provided a look at the complete Australia starting XV ahead of the crucial clash:

Despite the changes—Cooper will add some much-needed pace to the side—it is hard to look past another New Zealand victory and a 14th straight Bledisloe Cup crown.

For the All Blacks, Crusaders prop Joe Moody will be welcomed back into the fold after injury, according to Beth Newman of Rugby.com. The loosehead was absent for the first cup clash but could make a substantial impact this time around. 

The inclusion of Moody in the starting lineup so soon after his injury is testament to his importance to the side, with his strength set to be a vital asset in the scrum.  

Elsewhere, Dane Coles will start as hooker again after an impressive display last week.

In a new-look back line, Julian Savea will return in place of injured Waisake Naholo, and 21-year-old Anton Lienert-Brown will make his debut in midfield, per Sky Sports. 

Meanwhile, in perhaps the most notable changes to the All Blacks starting lineup, Ben Smith will shift to his favoured position at fullback and Israel Dagg will slot in on the wing. Dagg started last week's game as a fullback with Smith wearing the No. 14 shirt, but the pair will swap roles in Auckland as Hansen tweaks his attack without the injured Naholo and Crotty.

Although Dagg is a natural fullback, Smith is considered New Zealand's best in the position, and the manager has opted for the latter as Australia are likely to kick more in an attempt to bounce back after the embarrassing loss in Sydney. 

New Zealand will want to re-create a performance similar to their tantalising display last week for their home fans, and with Moody returning and Coles in fine form, the All Blacks should be able to nullify the Wallabies' attacking threat and create a number of attacking openings for themselves.

Australia should look to exploit debutant Lienert-Brown in the middle of the park, as well as the hastily put together midfield—Malakai Fekitoa is the only one of four centres originally selected in the squad who is fit to play. 

However, the free-scoring hosts should again prove too much for the Wallabies.  

Prediction: 37-8 to New Zealand