Wallabies vs Los Pumas 2019 RC Betting Odds- JOC to play first test since 2013, CLL at 10

Australia will be looking to avoid a second successive Rugby Championship defeat when they host Argentina in Brisbane this weekend. The Wallabies were soundly beaten 35-17 by an effective second string Springbok side last week in Johannesburg, and will be keen to get back to winning ways before their Bledisloe clash against the All Blacks.

In Johannesburg, the Wallabies had their chances, but were hurt by several poor individual mistakes- Dane Haylett Petty knocking on with the try line at his mercy, Taniela Tupou being yellow carded for an after the whistle shoulder charge against Rynhardt Elstadt, to name a couple.

Haylett Petty is not in the XV this weekend, with Michael Cheika making wholesale changes. Will Genia and Kurtley Beale were excellent when they came off the bench in Joburg and both have been rewarded with starting spots. Brumbies star Christian Lealiifano will replace Bernard Foley at flyhalf this weekend. James O’Connor is on the bench and in line to play his first test for the Wallabies since 2013 (his last one was also against Argentina!)

Odds after squad announcements: Australia (4/7), Draw (25/1), Argentina (15/8)

Wallabies starting lineup vs Argentina 2019

Continue reading “Wallabies vs Los Pumas 2019 RC Betting Odds- JOC to play first test since 2013, CLL at 10”

All Blacks vs Springboks Rugby Championship 2019 Betting Odds 27 July 2019 | Mounga and Barrett at 10 & 15

Perhaps the biggest rugby test before these two great nations square off in their World Cup opener on September 21 in Yokohama. The Springboks are looking for a second successive win on New Zealand soil against the All Blacks, while Steve Hansen’s men will be keen to avenge last year’s loss at this very stadium.

Both teams won their respective opening games, with South Africa beating Australia in Johannesburg and New Zealand getting the better of Los Pumas in Argentina.

However both teams have named vastly different XV’s for this clash- Rassie Erasmus even sent his “A” squad early to New Zealand in order to acclimatise while Steve Hansen has chosen to restore his Super Rugby winning Crusaders after the latter were rested for the trip to Argentina.

Current odds after naming of teams: New Zealand 1/4, Draw 40/1, Springboks 11/2 Continue reading “All Blacks vs Springboks Rugby Championship 2019 Betting Odds 27 July 2019 | Mounga and Barrett at 10 & 15”

Wales v South Africa Betting Odds November 24 2018

South Africa complete their end of the year fixtures with this clash against Wales at the Millenium Stadium, one which has been described by coach Rassie Erasmus as the “toughest” of their tour. The Boks lost by a point to England at Twickenham, beat France in Paris thanks to a stoppage time try and saw off a strong Scotland side at Murrayfield last weekend. A win in Cardiff will mark this as a very satisfactory tour for Erasmus, and could see the Boks go to third in the World rankings. Continue reading “Wales v South Africa Betting Odds November 24 2018”

Scotland vs South Africa 2018 Odds and Ireland v All Blacks Odds

Two games from the weekend’s EOTY internationals that stand out are Scotland vs South Africa and Ireland vs New Zealand.

Scotland have won nine of their last ten tests at Murrayfield and will be looking to claim the scalp of the Springboks, who controversially lost by a point to a second string England side at Twickenham, and then beat France with an injury time try.

With Faf de Klerk having returned to Sale, coach Rassie Erasmus has named Embrose Papier at scrum half. Papier has had very limited game time with the Boks, but has the benefit of being paired with his Bulls flyhalf Handre Pollard.

With Warren Whiteley injured, Duane Vermeulen packs down at 8, with Pieter-Steph du Toit at blindside.

Pre match odds: Scotland to win at 6/4, South Africa to win at 8/11 Continue reading “Scotland vs South Africa 2018 Odds and Ireland v All Blacks Odds”

Currie Cup Final Odds- Western Province vs Natal Sharks 2018 (WP Sharks)

The Currie Cup draws to a conclusion this weekend, with Western Province hosting the Sharks at Newlands in the final on Saturday afternoon. Province went through the round robin undefeated, but were a tad lucky to edge the plucky Blue Bulls in their home semifinal. They however had to play 100 minutes against Pote Human’s side, and those extra 20 minutes of rugby may count against some of their players in the latter stages of this final. The Sharks were in control for most of their semifinal against the Lions, but managed to overcome a second half comeback from the men from Transvaal.

Province beat the Sharks in Round-Robin, but Currie Cup finals between these two sides in recent years have shown an unusual trend- the visitor tends to the victor. However the bookies clearly seem to favour Province, whose coach John Dobson has chosen to play Damian Willemse at inside centre. This is therefor a WP squad with Josh Stander at 10, Willemse at 12, goal kicker SP Marais on the wing, and Dillyn Leyds at 15. Somewhat surprisingly, there is no place for Juarno Augustus in the Match Day 23. However Trokkie’s fellow JWC 2017 stars– the likes of Bosch, Van Rhyn, Willemse and Moerat, will all feature in this final. Continue reading “Currie Cup Final Odds- Western Province vs Natal Sharks 2018 (WP Sharks)”

Currie Cup Semifinal Odds 2018-Sharks v Golden Lions and Western Province v Blue Bulls

We’re down to the business end of the Currie Cup and as usual, it’s the big four unions- the ones who are South Africa’s Super Rugby representatives, who will square off in the semifinals.

Natal Cell C Sharks v Golden Lions (SF 1)

Sharks- 7/15, Golden Lions 15/18

The Sharks have home advantage for this, and coach Robert du Preez has chosen to restore his son Rob jnr to flyhalf after playing him at inside centre in the previous game. That means a return to full back for Curwin Bosch, who played at 10 against Griquas. Scrumhalf Louis Schreuder will captain the team.

Golden Lions

The Lions have some of their key Super Rugby personnel back, with the likes of Aphiwe Dyantyi, Warren Whiteley and Elton Jantjies all starting at Kings Park this weekend. Like the Sharks, they have a scrummie as skipper in Nic Groom (despite the availability of regular SR leader Whiteley for this clash)

Western Province vs Blue Bulls SF 2

WP- 1/10, Bulls at 41/4

As convincing odds in favour of Western Province that you’d see, and this is a semifinal. Province romped through the group stages, beating everyone in the competition, and got the better of the Bulls at Loftus in a rain affected encounter last week.

Rugby Championship Round 6 Odds- South Africa vs New Zealand & Argentina v Australia

Can South Africa beat the All Blacks for the second time in a row? They upset them in Wellington three weeks ago, and victory at Loftus Versfeld would make this a very successful campaign for Rassie Erasmus’ men. By comparison, despite winning the tournament, a loss here would feel like a very poor RC for Steve Hansen’s side.

Odds on South Africa beating the All Blacks at Loftus 2018: 19/5
Odds on All Blacks beat Springboks at Loftus 2018: 3/10

Argentina can condemn Australia to last place in the Rugby Championship if they win at home. The Pumas beat the Wallabies on the Gold Coast, and another loss might see the powers that be at the A R U move to sack Michael Cheika before the November tour.

Argentina are being quoted at 16/19, while the Wallabies are at 6/5.

Rugby Championship Week 5 2018 Odds- Argentina v New Zealand & South Africa v Australia

New Zealand will look to bounce back from their shock loss against South Africa in Wellington when they take on the Pumas at Velez Sarsfield. For Argentina, this represents one of their best opportunities to beat the All Blacks after running them close in Nelson and beating Australia on the Gold Coast in Round 4.

Victories for Argentina and South Africa would keep the Rugby Championship alive, with the potential of a mouth watering decider in Pretoria next week (a la the 2013 clash between the Springboks and the All Blacks at Ellis Park, regarded as one of the best games this decade)

South Africa v Australia: SA 2/5, Aus 11/4, Draw 33/1

South Africa lost to Australia in Brisbane in Round 3- the Wallabies’ only victory of the RC so far. Michael Cheika’s side had lineout issues in the loss to Argentina and Port Elizabeth being a windy city may not do much to improve stats on that front.

The Springboks will be without No.8 Warren Whiteley and the midfield pairing of Damian De Allende and Lukhanyo Am, all injured in the loss against the All Blacks.

Argentina v New Zealand: Argentina 15/2, Draw 50/1, All Blacks 1/8

The All Blacks have never lost in the Rugby Championship in Argentina, but the Pumas are brimming with confidence and will be backed by a partisan crowd. The All Black pack lacks a bit of experience, with skipper Kieran Read not making the trip to South America, and this could be an area for the Pumas to target.

Rugby Championship Week 2 Odds- New Zealand v Australia & Argentina v South Africa

The Rugby Championship has retained the same schedule for this year as it did for previous versions, and the results on the opening day of the weekend weren’t too difficult to predict- New Zealand beating Australia in Sydney and South Africa downing Argentina in Durban. Kings Park however saw only 27 000 in attendance– a far cry from the days one would’ve seen 40 or 50 000 at the venue comfortably.

New Zealand had a tough first half and so did South Africa- both teams trailed at the break to their opponents, but found their mojo in the second half to race to a comfortable win.

New Zealand will be without Ryan Crotty and Rieko Ioane this weekend, with Ngani Laumape and Jordie Barrett coming into the XV as replacements.

South Africa have effectively kept a similar squad, with the introduction of Franco Mostert for Pieter-Steph du Toit the only change in their XV. The likes of Ross Cronje, Lwazi Mvovo and Jean-luc du Preez, the last of whom was named in the Super Rugby Team of the Year for 2018, have not travelled to Argentina.

Odds for New Zealand v Australia

All Blacks: 1/14
Wallabies: 16/1

Odds for Argentina v South Africa

Los Pumas: 23/10
South Africa: 1/2

Super Rugby Final 2018 Odds- Crusaders favourite to retain crown

The mighty Crusaders are being favoured to retain their Super Rugby title when they host the Lions from Johannesburg in Christchurch on Saturday.

The game is a repeat of last year’s final, which the Saders won at Emirates Airline Park, aided by Jaco Peyper’s decision to red card Kwagga Smith for his collision with opposition full back David Havilli.

There is no room for sentiment for the Crusaders, who have chosen not to included the record setting Wyatt Crockett in their 23. Nobody would’ve really criticised Scott Robertson had Crockett being included, but the 200 cap veteran will have to watch from the stands, with Tim Perry and Joe Moody preferred to do duty at loosehead. Continue reading “Super Rugby Final 2018 Odds- Crusaders favourite to retain crown”

Crusaders v Sharks 2018 Playoff Quarterfinal- Betting Odds & News

On paper it’s a David v Goliath clash. The table topping Crusaders, who have lost only two games all season vs an inconsistent Sharks outfit who only sneaked into the playoffs because the Melbourne Rebels absolutely bottled their chances at the business end of the tournament.

The Sharks have been dreadful travellers this season, but their solitary win on the road was against a New Zealand team (the Blues). They also ran the Canes close in Napier (albeit a Canes side without TJ Perenara and Beauden Barrett), and lost by one point after the hooter.

The Durban based outfit are also without star blindside flanker Jean-Luc du Preez, who leads the competition this season for offloads- the Sharks are the competition’s top offloaders, but have struggled to score tries.

All stats seem to point to a Crusaders win, and few expect the Sharks to do an encore of their famous 2014 win in Chch.

94% of those on SuperBru have predicted a Crusaders win, at the time of writing.

Best odds on the Crusaders- 1/10 (BetVictor)

Best odds on the Sharks- 16/1 (SkyBet)