The 2016 Rugby Championship comes to a conclusion this weekend but the title is already decided as the All Blacks have dominated the tournament. Continue reading for our Rugby Championships Round 6 Preview and Betting Tips.
South Africa vs New Zealand (Sunday 2.05am AEST)
The All Blacks have claimed the Rugby Championship title after picking up five victories in their opening five games. To prove their dominance they earned a bonus point in every single one of those victories. Their attack has been superb throughout the entire tournament and whilst they have leaked points on a couple of occasions they have never been in danger of suffering a loss.
Meanwhile the Springboks have had a disappointing season but they were able to celebrate on the weekend as they earned their second win of the tournament and their first against the Wallabies. It moved them into second position on the ladder and a loss this weekend could see them move to the bottom of the table. They will be pushing for victory and have the advantage of playing on their home soil but it won’t be enough for them to upset the world champions. The Springboks have bee poor at the set pieces whilst the All Blacks have been dominant in all facets of the game. The Springboks were able to push the All Blacks in the first half when they met earlier in the championships but they weren’t able to match it with them in the long run. We are predicting a similar match this weekend with the All Blacks demonstrating their superiority in the telling moments of the match.
TIP: New Zealand -10.5 @ $1.90 with Sportsbet
Argentina vs Australia (Sunday 5.30am AEST)
The Wallabies continued to disappoint as they blew plenty of opportunities against the Springboks on the weekend to suffer another loss. They haven’t won on the road in two attempts and it will be tough for them to earn the victory this weekend against a determined Pumas side at home. Argentina has had their best Rugby Championships and have been competitive in all of the matches they played. If it wasn’t for a terrific start for the Wallabies when these two sides met three weeks ago when they raced out to a 21-0 lead then the match could have ended very differently. The Wallabies will again be without David Pocock who is injured and it is a massive blow for the side as they struggle without his impact at the breakdown. To make matters worse for the Green and Gold they will be without his back up Sean McMahon who also suffered an injury, which means they will be playing Lopeti Timani.
The Wallabies will need to be at their best in defence and in attack. Quade Cooper and Bernard Foley were beginning to find their feet but they had a slump on the weekend. Cooper has a good combination with Will Genia but they need to get earlier ball.
The Pumas are a big side and they will look to overpower the Wallabies at the breakdown – an area where Pocock and McMahon will be missed. This could lead to a lot of penalties against the Wallabies and discipline is a massive issue for the side. Argentina will look to play a territorial game and kick their way to victory and a good start is vital for success, however we believe the Pumas will earn the victory on home soil.
TIP: Argentina 1-12 @ $4.25 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!
