Only two weeks remain in this years Rugby Championship with round 5 kicking off on Saturday. New Zealand will travel to Sydney to play Australia followed by Argentina hosting South Africa. We look at the two matches from a betting angle and make a few bets.
Australia v New Zealand – Click here to bet
Both teams are coming off the back of disappointing losses two weeks ago and while neither team can win the Rugby Championship this is also the 1st leg of the Bledisloe Cup.
New Zealand played South Africa in Cape Town and lost the match 18-12 while Australia got thumped by Argentina away from home with the match ending 67-27 despite Australia leading 20-3 at one stage.
New Zealand currently sit 3rd on the log after winning only 1 match while Australia sit bottom of the log after also only winning 1 match, but missing out on bonus points.
Head-to-Head
New Zealand have dominated in their rivalry with Australia in recent years, winning the last seven matches both home and away. The Wallabies last victory against the All Blacks came in 2020. With this record, New Zealand holds a clear psychological edge going into this clash.
Betting and Verdict
Even on foreign soil, New Zealand are heavy favourites, trading at 1.18 with the bookmakers. Australia are long shots at 6.00, reflecting the steep challenge ahead of them. The draw is 41.00 and the handicap is set at 13.5.
Australia may give some cheek early but the visitors should win going away.
Handicap: New Zealand [-13.5]
BET: Handicap, New Zealand [-13.5] at 1.90.
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Argentina v South Africa – Click here to bet
Argentina came back from their defeat against Australia in round 3, convincingly beating them in round 4 with the match ending 67-27. They also managed to pull off a historic win in round 1 against New Zealand away from home although they were hammered by the same opponents a week later.
South Africa have continued to show why they are number 1 in the world, winning all four of their matches so far. Their most recent result was against New Zealand in Cape Town where they won the match 18-12.
Head-to-Head
South Africa have dominated Argentina in recent years, winning their last eight encounters, with the streak beginning in 2019. Argentina’s last victory over the Springboks came in 2018 during the Rugby Championship on home soil.
Betting and Verdict
Heading into the match, South Africa are firm favourites, trading at 1.28 with the bookmakers. Argentina are seen as the underdogs with odds of 4.50, reflecting the challenge ahead. The draw is 29.00 and the handicap is set at +9.5 Argentina.
South Africa have picked a team capable of doing the job and I expect them to dominate upfront before pulling clear to win by 10 or more.
Handicap: Argentina [+9.5]
BET: Handicap, South Africa [-9.5] at 1.95.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
