All Blacks vs. Wallabies: Updated Bledisloe Cup 2016 Fixture Info and Prediction

James DudkoAug 25, 2016

Australia are out for revenge in the second match of the 2016 Bledisloe Cup after being humiliated by New Zealand in the first encounter in Sydney. The All Blacks hammered the Wallabies 42-8 in the opening match of the Test series.

Things aren't likely to get an easier for Australia, though; not when the Wallabies are facing up to a daunting trip to Wellington.

The All Blacks have to be overwhelming favourites on home soil, where they've had their way with the Wallabies for too long.

Australia's Defence Will Continue to Struggle

The task before the Wallabies couldn't be tougher. Christy Doran of Fox Sports Australia put it into context that makes depressing reading for all Australian supporters: "The Wallabies have lost their last 18 Tests against the All Blacks in New Zealand, a record which stretches back to 2001 when they won 23-15 at Carisbrook."

Coach Michael Cheika is under no illusions, dubbing the challenge of rallying his team to get the better of the mighty All Blacks the "greatest" of his career, per Adrian Warren of the Sydney Morning Herald.

Cheika knows he's facing an awesome challenge.

Rick Rycroft/Associated Press

One of the big keys to help make any turnaround possible has to be a more resolute back line. It's something Wallabies defence coach Nathan Grey believes can be rectified simply by greater adherence to the fundamentals, per Warren: "I think just being more efficient at our tackle is something that we're really going to have to focus on a lot to ensure that we can stop their go forward and hence their offloads."

Good technique can take a team far, but there's no substitute for talent. It's something the Kiwis boast ample amounts of in forward areas, so expect Australia to again struggle to keep pace.

Beauden Barrett and Aaron Smith Will Dominate

Hooker Dane Coles and midfield back Ryan Crotty proved danger men after both scored for New Zealand in the first meeting. Fly-half Beauden Barrett was also unerring with his boot.

Barrett was brilliant in the first match.

Rob Griffith/Associated Press

Yet, it's half-back Aaron Smith who really makes the All Blacks tick. His smart distribution into wide areas destroyed the Wallabies in the first meeting.

With Crotty and Malakai Fekitoa defying the critics to prove they can handle things in the middle, Smith should get the time to pick his passes to exploit gaps going forward, as well as the space to deliver more typically smart kicking out of hand to aid New Zealand's defensive game.

Expect both players to score, with Barrett leading the way during another prolific outing for the Kiwis.

Prediction: All Blacks 28-10 Wallabies