The Springboks v Wales Test Match may have taken centre stage in our previews this week, but there are a number of other big Internationals on the go. We suggest a bet in 3 of the games.
NEW ZEALAND v IRELAND
Eden Park in Auckland has always been a fortress for New Zealand rugby and there is plenty of talk this week about whether Ireland can grab a victory having beaten the All Blacks 29-20 in Dublin last year. It was a poor year-end tour for the All Blacks as while they were comfortable winners over a weakened Welsh side and Italy, they were outplayed by Ireland and France who beat them by 15 points.
The build up to this Test Match hasn’t been ideal for the home team with a number of COVID cases, but looking at that team list they have such depth and are able to field what looks to me a side pretty close to full strength.
Ireland had a successful Six Nations campaign finishing 2nd to France, the only team that beat them. Their 4 victories were all by quite comfortable margins. Prior to last November’s meeting these sides met in the quarter-finals of the Rugby World Cup with New Zealand winning 46-14.
BETTING – Click here to bet
New Zealand 2/9
Draw 28/1
Ireland 4/1
Handicap: New Zealand -10.5
Suggested Bet: First-Half Handicap, New Zealand (-4.5) at 17/20
I am expecting a fast start from an All Blacks side who will be eager for Irish blood and I am expecting them to lead by at least an unconverted try at the break.
AUSTRALIA v ENGLAND
Australia had a terrible year-end Tour to the North, losing all 3 of their matches including a 32-15 defeat to England. While not able to match the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship earlier in the year they did the double over South Africa and bookmakers have installed them as narrow favourites for this one.
The English have been disappointing since the World Cup and could only finish a 3rd in the Six Nations, losing to Scotland, Ireland and France. The side also turned in a lacklustre performance going down 52-21 to the Barbarians a couple of weeks back although that England side was not at full strength and I imagine they were carrying some seriously hard training in the legs.
Last time these sides met in Australia, England came out on top with a 3-0 series victory. Australia will have vivid memories of another recent encounter being the 2019 Rugby World Cup quarter-final where they were beaten by 24 points.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Australia 5/6
Draw 22/1
England 12/10
Handicap: Australia -1.5
Suggested Bet: England win at 12/10
I don’t like the mix of this Australian side and I think that Eddie Jones will have his boys up for this one.
ARGENTINA v SCOTLAND
Argentina have been disappointing in recent seasons and it will be interesting to see if Michael Cheika can turn things around. Their last action was in Ireland in 2021 where they were beaten 53-7 and they also lost narrowly to France and comfortably beat Italy. They failed to pick up a victory in last season’s Rugby Championship and are in desperate need of a good performance.
Scotland were a mixed bag in the Six Nations with their highlight coming in Week 1 when they beat England 20-17. They finished off though with a 26-5 loss away to Ireland and overall it was another Six Nations season where they will wonder what could have been. At the end of last season Scotland edged the Wallabies by 2 points in a tight encounter, lost to the Boks by 15 and beat Japan 29-20.
BETTING – Click here to bet
Argentina 40/85
Draw 22/1
Scotland 2/1
Handicap: Argentina -4.5
Suggested Bet: Half-Time/Full-Time Argentina/Argentina 10/11
I think Argentina are going to be too strong for this Scotland side and am backing the home team to lead at the break and win the game in what should be an excellent atmosphere for the home side.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
