Rugby fans have one more weekend of International action to look forward to and we take a look at 4 of the big games and suggest a bet in each.
SATURDAY
ENGLAND v SOUTH AFRICA
This is one of the most highly anticipated Test matches I can recall for some time, given all the drama around Rassie Erasmus this week as well as the fact that there is a repeat of the World Cup Final which was emphatically won by the Springboks.
England were too strong for Australia last week dominating the match, but failing to kill off their opponents until the final quarter when they ran out 32-15 winners. The week before they had a few problems in hammering Tonga 69-3 at Twickenham.
The Springboks opened their International campaign with a 5 point win over Wales and they once again had to come from behind again last week against Scotland, trailing at the break only to run out comfortable 30-15 winners with the pack in particular delivering a commanding performance.
These sides last met at Twickenham in 2018 with England edging a close one 12-11.
BETTING – click here to bet
England 23/20
Draw 25/1
South Africa 5/6
Handicap: England (+1.5) at 9/10, South Africa (-1.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: South Africa win at 5/6
The money has come for South Africa this week and based on team selections they may shorten further. Let’s keep it simple and go for a straight South Africa win.
WALES v AUSTRALIA
Wales made hard work of beating Fiji last week before pulling clear late to win 38-23 with their opponents having played 20 minutes of the game with 13 men and more than a half, down a man.
The week before that they led the Springboks at half-time only for the World Champions to come back and beat them by 5 points and there has been plenty of money for them this week and it looks like they are going to start the game as clear favourites.
Australia hung in well against England last week, but they were outplayed in the end, losing 32-15 with that final try a real hammer blow for anybody who backed Australia on the plus. The week before that they were perhaps a bit unfortunate to lose 15-13 to Scotland and they will be desperate to get a victory and avoid returning home with 3 defeats.
These teams last met in the Rugby World Cup pool stages with Wales edging it 29-25 in Tokyo. The last time they came to Cardiff, Wales won a low scoring encounter 9-6 in 2018.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Wales 7/10
Draw 25/1
Australia 27/20
Handicap: Wales (-2.5) at 9/10, Australia (+2.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Winning Margin, Wales under 12.5 points at 17/10
I am expecting Wales to win this game, but I think it is going to be a typically close and hard fought battle and the 1-12 winning margin appeals as a better back bet than the 7/10 that they win the game outright or the 9/10 that they beat the handicap.
FRANCE v NEW ZEALAND
France made quite heavy work of beating Georgia 41-15 last week, a result falling well short of the handicap which had started with France 40 point favourites. The week before they also toiled to beat Argentina 29-20, but there is no doubt that it has been this fixture that has been on their mind over the last couple of weeks.
The All Blacks were rocked last week when they were beaten 29-20 by Ireland in Dublin. The 9 point defeat would have been hard to stomach, but it was the fact that Ireland dominated them for almost the entire match that will be a bigger concern. The week before that they had played Italy, who also beat the handicap, with New Zealand winning by 42 points with some late tries, but having started the game 55 point favourites.
This will be their 5th consecutive week of action as they hammered the USA away to start their Tour and then beat an under-strength Welsh side by 38 points in Cardiff.
BETTING – Click here to bet
France 21/10
Draw 25/1
New Zealand 9/20
Handicap: France (+5.5) at 9/10, New Zealand (-5.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Half-time / Full-time, New Zealand / France at 10/1
A speculative play this, but I can see New Zealand bouncing out of the blocks strongly after the Ireland shock only for France to claw their way back into the game and claim a famous victory.
SUNDAY
IRELAND v ARGENTINA
This game takes place on Sunday in Dublin and it looks a tricky match to end the weekend.
Ireland will be on a high after stunning the All Blacks last week, but I think they may battle to match the intensity of that victory. The week before beating New Zealand they had seen off Japan 60-5, a game where they started 17 point favourites.
Many punters, myself included, thought Italy might give Argentina a good game last week, but it was the Rugby Championship team that ran out comfortable 37-16 winners. A week earlier they had beaten the handicap, but not won the match against France going down by 9 points in a game where they certainly had their chances to take victory.
Argentina usually give a good account of themselves in Dublin and their 2 most recent matches have seen Ireland win by 11 in 2018 and 9 in 2017.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Ireland 1/6
Draw 35/1
Argentina 11/2
Handicap: Ireland (-13.5) at 9/10, Argentina (+13.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Argentina (+13.5) at 9/10
This is my biggest bet of the weekend, but I think that Argentina can capitalise on the fact that Ireland may be a bit flat after last week.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
