After a brilliant opening week that saw Argentina pull off only their second win in New Zealand we head to Week 2 of the Rugby Championships. New Zealand will host Argentina at Eden Park, looking for revenge followed by Australia against South Africa in Perth.
We look at these two matches from a betting angle and highlight a few plays.
South Africa are 1/3 to win the Rugby Championship with new Zealand 3/1, Argentina 17/2 and Australia 100/1.
Click here for outright betting
New Zealand v Argentina – Click here to bet
Argentina delivered a performance for the ages as they held on in the last 20 minutes to keep New Zealand out. This was the third time they have ever beaten New Zealand and only the second time in New Zealand. The match ended 30-38 after Argentia got a late penalty in the New Zealand half to take the game out of reach.
This was New Zealand’s first loss since the Rugby World Cup final last year and first loss for new head coach Scott Robinson. Argentina have now won their last three games and will be hungry to continue that streak.
Head-to-Head
Before last weekend the two sides last met in the 2023 Rugby World Cup semi-finals where New Zealand won the match 44-6. New Zealand had also won the two fixtures before that, both home and away. Argentina have never beaten New Zealand two times in a row but have an opportunity to rectify that this weekend.
New Zealand are favourites to win the match, trading at 1.14 while Argentina are trading at 7.00.
Verdict
Beating New Zealand in New Zealand is one of the most difficult things to do in international rugby but what’s even harder is to do it twice within two weeks. Argentina will be eager to accomplish this feat, but New Zealand will come out firing with a statement to prove after last weeks performance.
Handicap: New Zealand [-14.5]
BET: Handicap, New Zealand [-14.5] at 1.95.
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Australia v South Africa – Click here to bet
South Africa delivered yet another world class performance last weekend showing why they are World Champions. They blew Australia away winning the match 7-33 in Brisbane.
Australia head coach Joe Schmidt suffered his first defeat since taking over the head coach role and will be hoping his charges turn things around come this weekend.
Head-to-Head
Before last weekend the two sides met last year in July at Loftus Versfeld where South Africa won the match 43-12. South Africa have now won the last three encounters between the two sides with Australia’s last win coming in 2022.
After last weekends performance South Africa remain favourites to win at 1.18 while Australia are trading at 6.00.
Verdict
Coach Erasmus has named a very different side for the second test with a number of youngsters coming in for more experienced players while Schmidt has named a more experienced side than the one that was humbled at the Suncorp Stadium.
I think the home team beat this handicap.
Handicap: South Africa [-12.5]
BET: Handicap, Australia [+12.5] at 1.90.
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
