The Queensland Country Bank Stadium is the venue for this weekend’s Rugby Championship double header and we take a look at both games from a betting angle.
NEW ZEALAND v SOUTH AFRICA
The build up to this one has been huge and all expectations were that the Springboks would go into the match very much in contention for the Rugby Championship. Unfortunately, back-to-back defeats against the Wallabies means that New Zealand have the Rugby Championship wrapped up, but there will be plenty on the line in this the 100th test between the countries.
The All Blacks have won all 4 of their matches, beating Australia twice and they are now coming off back-to-back victories over Argentina, winning 39-0 two weeks ago and 36-13 last week, with the 23 point margin not enough to beat the handicap which was 26.5.
The Springboks opened their campaign with back-to-back victories over Argentina in South Africa before losing 28-26 to Australia, a game where they missed a number of kicks and plenty of excuses could be made for the loss. They started last week 8.5 point favourites to set the record straight, but it was a match that Australia dominated eventually running out 37-17 winners and the Springboks now go into this massive clash against the All Blacks low on confidence.
The last time these sides met was in the Rugby World Cup with New Zealand winning 23-13.
TEAMS
New Zealand
15 Jordie Barrett, 14 Will Jordan, 13 Rieko Ioane, 12 David Havili, 11 George Bridge, 10 Beauden Barrett, 9 TJ Perenara, 8 Luke Jacobson, 7 Ardie Savea (captain), 6 Akira Ioane, 5 Scott Barrett, 4 Brodie Retallick, 3 Nepo Laulala, 2 Codie Taylor, 1 Joe Moody.
Replacements: 16 Samisoni Taukei’aho, 17 Karl Tu’inukuafe, 18 Ofa Tuungafasi, 19 Patrick Tuipulotu, 20 Ethan Blackadder, 21 Brad Weber, 22 Damian McKenzie, 23 Quinn Tupaea.
South Africa
15 Willie le Roux, 14 Sibusiso Nkosi, 13 Lukhanyo Am, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Makazole Mapimpi, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Francois de Klerk, 8 Duane Vermeulen, 7 Albertus Smith, 6 Siyamthanda Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Eben Etzebeth, 3 Frans Malherbe, 2 Mbongeni Mbonambi, 1 Trevor Nyakane
Replacements:16 Malcolm Marx, 17 Steven Kitshoff, 18 Vincent Koch, 19 Francois Mostert, 20 Marco van Staden, 21 Herschel Jantjies, 22 Elton Jantjies, 23 Frans Steyn
BETTING – Click here to bet
New Zealand 2/9
Draw 35/1
South Africa 4/1
Handicap: New Zealand (-12.5) at 9/10, South Africa (+12.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Winning Margin, New Zealand by 11-20 points inclusive at 11/4
The handicap looks well set, but I am leaning towards New Zealand and feel that they will pull clear in the second-half.
Suggested Bet: First Try Scorer, Will Jordan at 7/1
Jordan never got on the score sheet last week which is a rarity for him and he has that ability to break defences and I am betting on him being the first to dot down for 5 points.
AUSTRALIA v ARGENTINA
It was all doom and gloom for the Aussies when they lost their 3rd consecutive test to New Zealand 38-21 in Perth, but they bounced back strongly with a 2 point win over South Africa at the Gold Coast followed by a 13 point win in Brisbane.
They face an Argentina side which has lost all 4 games against South Africa and New Zealand, although their last game a 36-13 defeat to the All Blacks in Brisbane was the only time they have beaten the handicap which started at (+26.5). They certainly showed a lot more on attack in the last Test, but like the Springboks they appear to be just off the pace at the moment.
TEAMS
Australia
15 Reece Hodge, 14 Andrew Kellaway, 13 Len Ikitau, 12 Samu Kerevi, 11 Marika Koroibete, 10 Quade Cooper, 9 Nic White, 8 Rob Valetini, 7 Michael Hooper (captain), 6 Rob Leota, 5 Matt Philip, 4 Izack Rodda, 3 Taniela Tupou, 2 Folau Fainga’a, 1 James Slipper.
Replacements: 16 Feleti Kaitu’u, 17 Angus Bell, 18 Tom Robertson, 19 Darcy Swain, 20 Pete Samu, 21 Tate McDermott, 22 James O’Connor, 23 Jordan Petaia.
Argentina
15 Juan Cruz Mallia, 14 Santiago Cordero, 13 Lucio Cinti, 12 Santiago Chocobares, 11 Emiliano Boffelli, 10 Santiago Carreras, 9 Gonzalo Bertranou, 8 Pablo Matera, 7 Marcos Kremer, 6 Juan Martin Gonzalez, 5 Tomas Lavanini, 4 Matias Alemanno, 3 Santiago Medrano, 2 Julian Montoya (captain), 1 Facundo Gigena.
Replacements: 16 Santiago Socino, 17 Rodrigo Martinez, 18 Enrique Pieretto, 19 Guido Petti, 20 Joaquin Oviedo, 21 Gonzalo Garcia, 22 Domingo Miotti, 23 Mateo Carreras.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Australia 2/7
Draw 33/1
Argentina 33/10
Handicap: Australia (-10.5) at 9/10, Argentina (+10.5) at 9/10
Suggested Bet: Half-Time Handicap, Australia (-4.5) at 9/10
I am expecting a confident Australia to come out firing and to go into the half-time break with a comfortable lead.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
