The Super Rugby season ended under a month ago but there is more Rugby action coming our way with the 2016 Rugby Championship. The favourites to win will be the All Blacks but the Wallabies are the defending champions. Continue reading for our 2016 Rugby Championship Preview and Betting Tips.
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Betting on Round 1 Rugby Championship action? Check out our tips here: https://www.beforeyoubet.com.au/2016-rugby-championship-round-1-preview-betting-tips
Bledisloe Cup
Firstly we will discuss the Bledisloe Cup and it has been a long time between drinks for the Wallabies, as they haven’t lifted the elusive trophy since 2002. Despite having a terrible showing against England earlier in the year, they head into the tournament with a strong squad. Matt Giteau has joined the side after he opted to play for his country even though Toulon will not be paying him for his time away. He will bring a lot of experience and composure to the team, something they lacked throughout the series against England. They are also in a better space, as it isn’t in the middle of the Super Rugby season with the sides all competing for a spot in the finals. The Australian sides all had disappointing years and they will want to make amends on an international stage.
This weekend will be the first time these two sides are meeting since the 2015 Rugby World Cup final and there will definitely be a lot of feeling between them. The New Zealand team looks a lot different with their experienced players retiring after their victory whilst the Australian side looks very much the same.
However, the depth of New Zealand rugby goes so deep that they are able to replace players very quickly. Dan Carter and Richie McCaw are huge losses but Beauden Barrett and Ardie Savea are proving to be worthy of wearing the 10 and 7 on their backs respectively.
We are predicting the Bledisloe Cup will remain in New Zealand, as the All Blacks will continue to find a way to win as the Wallabies miss out narrowly in Australia before being dominated across the ditch.
TIP: New Zealand 3-0 @ $1.83 with Sportsbet
Rugby Championship
The All Blacks are short priced favourites to take out the title and it is hard to back against them. They have been sitting on the top of the Rugby World Rankings for close to a decade and it will be hard to stop them from reclaiming the four nations in the longer format tournament. Last year each team played each other just once as the Rugby World Cup was on whereas this year each team will play each other twice, once on each countries home ground.
If you are looking for more value then getting on the South Africans to take out the title wouldn’t be a bad idea. The success of the Lions this season and their style of play could shake the way the Springboks approach the Rugby Championship. If they are able to stick to their tough defence, smart use of the ball whilst utilising their attack to their fullest potential they will be a dangerous team.
The South Africans have an advantage when other teams head to South Africa to take them on as their conditions can vary throughout the nation. High altitude is a massive factor in their success.
Meanwhile Argentina is at $81 to win their first ever Rugby Championship. They are progressing since their inclusion in the tournament and it showed in last years Rugby World Cup. However, the country is still a long way off challenging for the title as they will need to win the majority of their games and cause a lot of upsets.
The Australians are the defending champions as they were undefeated in the competition last year. They enter the tournament as slight favourites when compared with South Africa but it is still the All Blacks trophy to lose. The Wallabies have a strong side with some experience and a lot of youth. However, their inability to put together consistent and strong performances will let them down across this longer format tournament. It is a very rare occasion when Australia can pull off a win in either New Zealand or South Africa and they have showed weakness in Argentina also. We believe New Zealand will take the crown but backing South Africa for the value isn’t a bad bet.
TIP: South Africa @ $7.00 with CrownBet
Take note: Any of the tips in this article are simply the author’s opinion, so bet at your own risk and always gamble responsibly. Also be sure to check out the Before You Bet Twitter Page for all our thoughts in the lead up to bets! Happy punting!
