The 2017 Rugby Championships got off to an exciting start last week. It continues against this weekend and we take a look at the two matches and offer our Rugby Championships Preview and Betting Tips.
New Zealand vs Australia (Saturday 5.30pm AEST)
If you didn’t watch the match last week and instead just looked at the scores, you would think that it was a high scoring match and New Zealand just got the better of Australia. Think again. It was a tale of two halves as the Kiwis raced out to a 40-6 half-time lead before they essentially switched off for the second 40-minutes. The New Zealanders were clinical in attack and the Australian’s situation wasn’t helped by poor defence. The Kiwis broke tackles and strolled over for easy tries everytime they stepped into the Wallabies 22m area. It is danger signs already for the Wallabies who were very poor.
It is hard to find positives in a match where you concede over 50-points but to the Aussie’s credit, they did throw the ball around in the second half and score some points. It is the only way they will be able to win. Unfortunately they aren’t consistent enough with the ball in their hands to danger the Kiwis defensive line, especially away from home. We are predicting the All Blacks to be disappointed with their second half performance come out for redemption. They will put together a full 80-minute performance and embarrass the Wallabies further, and at the same time clinching the Bledisloe Cup and ruining their Rugby Championships chances.
TIP: New Zealand at the line (-25.5) - $1.90 at Sportsbet
Argentina vs South Africa (Sunday 3.30am AEST)
The Springboks earned the victory against the Pumas in their opening match of the 2017 Rugby Championships. It was a closer match than the scoreboard suggests as it took the Springboks until the final 10-minutes to ice the match. They were leading by just 8-point prior to that. They were never trailing in the match and ultimately, it never looked like they were going to lose but Argentina will pose more of a threat on home soil.
The Springboks flexed their muscles when substitutes came onto the field and the depth is where South Africa has their massive advantage. If they can hold onto a lead heading into the final 20-minutes, or even be within a try on the score board, we believe they will be able to get the win. We are predicting for another tight game between the two sides but South Africa will join New Zealand as an unbeaten side this weekend.
TIP: South Africa at the margin (1-12) - $2.70 at William Hill
Always Gamble Responsibly.
