A cracking if not confusing weekend of International Rugby Union. Great games and lots of purpose and intent by all teams which makes it cracking rugby, confusing because you have two games kicking off within 15 minutes of each other – why? and some odds that are just weird. That aside its time to get betting and enjoy these games and of course make some money.
Not sure there is much to learn from the Japan – New Zealand game with the visitors ranging from 1/50 – 1-250 in the betting but I will be interested to see what the Rising Sun nation can keep the score to. Its amazing how close the handicap market makers get it and at 34 points and having to get up at 5.45am we will leave that one. But the next two – cant wait.
Saturday 2.45 Kick off – Wales v Scotland
Next off is a belter. Wales v Scotland and whilst I am all for Wales being favourites at home and particualrly after the trouncing they gave Scotland the last time they met I think we will see an entirely different Scottish team in this game. I read with interest the level of coaching, committment and preparation that Gregor Townsend goes in to for these games and whilst I am sure Wales do similarly I think this will be a very tight contest. Wales’ preparation hasnt been ideal with Coach Warren Gatland having to return home to NZ for a family bereavement and these games fall on such fine margins, maybe that will tell. Scotland will not be careless this time around and points will be at a premium I believe, so we will have two bets in the game.
4 units win Scotland +6 at evens with Skybet
2 units Scotland to win @ 21/10 with Skybet
Saturday 3.00pm Kick off – England vs South Africa
Now this is where it gets weird. Why this game kicks off 15 minutes later and not 90 minutes later I have no idea. I also dont understand the markets, which is never good because if all the layers believe England are favourites then I am clearly missing something and despite searching I cant find it. So either they or me now lose money, thats they way it should be I guess. Yes I know its fortress Twickenham as England are at home and I know SA have played three hard games in September but they beat and competed well against both the All Blacks and Australia and just at the moment with something like 9 unavailable through injury, England are neither of those two teams and they havent played a single game together yet. The Springboks have picked a massive and experienced pack and England’s pack really lacks experience. I really think this will tell. These players need experience before next years World Cup and this is the best place to get it. Jones knows that, so as long as they compete well then a loss in this game is no big deal with next year in mind. Jeremy Guscott is already talking about 2 England victories out of the 4 games in this campaign being Ok, yet they go in to this game as favourites against a team that are arguably number 2 in the world!
Dont get me wrong I would love England to win but they cant, not yet and South Africa really, really want to put one over them. I dont like South Africa but I like making money more so I will be cheering them on, as much as it hurts.
4 points win South Africa at 6/4 with Skybet.
Note : All prices advised are correct at the date, time, stamped of publishing.
