All Blacks to put down WC marker

It seems unbelievable in this day and age that a professional sportsman could be injured 'larking around' with his mates but that is exactly what happened to Wallabies full-back Julian Huxley ahead of the Tri-Nations decider and could prove decisive in the match result. Huxley has been in fine form for the Australians in World Cup year and his attacking instinct from No 15 has given the often one-dimensional Wallaby back-line a different edge. He was at an awards dinner earlier this week and was "playfully tackled" by a team-mate from his club side and he now misses out with a thigh injury. Add to this the fact that No 8 David Lyons also misses out with deep vein thrombosis, discovered this week after his calf swelled up to twice the size and the Australia side that need a victory to claim the Tri-Nations and the Bledisoe Cup are short in key positions. The All Blacks make three changes from the side that beat South Africa with a late surge last week. In come Byron Kelleher, Anton Oliver and Jerry Collins and bar the absence of Siti Sivivatu this is Graham Henry's first choice side. However when Australia won the corresponding fixture earlier in this Tri-Nations campaign, the Wallabies defence was the key factor in the 20-15 victory. Without Huxley and Lyons they are in truth not that weakened as their replacements, Adam Ashley-Cooper and Stephen Hoiles, are as good in defence. However they will feel the absences in attack. I take this to be a low-scoring affair, certainly in the first half when the Australia defence will contain the All Blacks and the poor form of fly-half Dan Carter will be tested. Take the 5/6 on offer for under 18 first half points with bet365. Expect the All Blacks to come into their own in the second half as fitness and the fact that they want to put a World Cup marker down come into play. However the Wallaby team are resilient and while I expect the All Blacks to win the Australians will stay within touching distance. Take the evens on offer with bet365 for Australia +13 on the handicap. Verdict: 1pt under 8 points in first half @ 5/6 (bet365); 2pts Australia +13 on handicap @ evens (bet365)