International Rugby Betting Tips | 2021-11-11

Blockbuster battles at the Aviva Stadium and Twickenham top the tantalising menu of Test rugby as the Autumn Nations Series rolls on this weekend, writes Quintin van Jaarsveld.

That’s aside from South Africa’s meeting with Scotland at Murrayfield of course (catch our preview below).

Ireland take on New Zealand and England face Australia in highly-anticipated showdowns on Saturday after Italy and Argentina kick-off the international rugby festivities in Rome earlier in the day.

Sunday’s action takes us to Paris, where France entertain Georgia before the spotlight shifts to Cardiff for a clash between Wales and Fiji. Here’s how we see things playing out:

Italy v Argentina

Saturday, 13 November – 15:00

The dance of the desperate. The whipping boys of their respective hemispheres collide in Rome, where they’ll pull out all the stops in their longing pursuit of victory. For the hosts, it would be a maiden win in 2021, whereas the visitors managed wins over Wales and Romania before their winless Rugby Championship campaign.

Both sides showed positive signs last weekend. Yes, the Azzurri were routed 47-9 by the All Blacks, but they made the Kiwis work hard until the final quarter in what was Kieran Crowley’s first Test in charge. The Italians looked re-energised and were more disciplined under their new New Zealand-born head coach.

Similarly, the Pumas had more bite against France and were in with a shot until they leaked a try with a little over 10 minutes to go, ultimately succumbing 29-20. Argentina have won the last four fixtures between the teams, three of those by four or less, and this should be another close one. Based on last weekend’s performances, the Pumas should pip it.

Prediction: Argentina by 5.

Suggested bet: Italy +8.5 at 1.74.

Ireland v New Zealand

Saturday, 13 November – 17:15

Ireland are on a roll, having won six on the trot, and shook off the post-Six Nations rust with a 60-5 thumping of Japan last weekend. Recent history has shown that they lift their game when they take on the All Blacks, so much so that they’re chasing their third win over the number one ranked team in the world in five years.

Coach Andy Farrell, who replaced Joe Schmidt after the 2019 World Cup – which, coincidently, ended for Ireland following a 46-14 quarterfinal loss to the Kiwis – moved away from his predecessor’s percentage rugby philosophy to a more attack-minded approach and it’s paid dividends this season.

The thing is, you can’t beat the All Blacks at their own game and attempting to do so, which the favourable conditions will further entice Ireland to try, is like bringing a knife to a shootout. Determined to replicate the 16-9 win the last time they faced off in Dublin, the hosts will bring the energy and intensity but will be outgunned by the more dangerous and well-rounded visitors, who’ll be back at full-strength after their second-stringers smashed Italy last weekend.

Prediction: New Zealand by 9.

Suggested Bet: Ireland +10.5 at 1.76.

England v Australia

Saturday, 13 November – 19:30

The Wallabies found out real quick how hard life is without two of their most influential players. With no Quade Cooper, the calmer of storms, or Samu Kerevi, their human wrecking ball, Australia crashed to a 15-13 loss to Scotland at Murrayfield last Sunday. They not only lacked rhythm but discipline as well in the defeat, which snapped a five-match winning streak.

England, in turn, trounced Tonga 69-3 last Saturday and as is the case for South Africa against Scotland, they had an extra day of rest. It’s an advantage the Wallabies would’ve wanted in the worst way as they’ve lost seven straight to the English since Eddie Jones took charge.

Captain Owen Farrell is the type of player whose mere presence lifts England and after being pulled from the Tonga game at the eleventh hour due to a false positive Covid test, he’s set to make his 100th appearance for his country on Saturday. That milestone will add further fuel to the fire of the home team and with x-factor players like Marcus Smith as well, England should triumph with a bit of breathing room. I do think Australia will be good for the plus though.

Prediction: England by 10.

Suggested Bet: Australia +12.5 at 1.84.

France v Georgia

Sunday, 14 November – 15:00

Sunday’s first offering pits the flair of the French against the passion and physicality of the Georgians. Les Bleus battered the Lelos 64-7 in the only encounter between the teams, which came back at the 2007 World Cup, but the minnows have made major strides since then.

It shouldn’t be quite such a hiding as France will likely field a second-string side, but with the 40-9 loss to the Springboks (who hadn’t played a Test in 19 months) in July being Georgia’s last outing, Les Bleus will blow up the handicap.

Prediction: France by at least 45.

Suggested Bet: France -37.5 at 1.83.

Wales v Fiji

Sunday, 14 November – 17:15

This rivalry has dished up some classic clashes, the most memorable of all being Fiji’s epic 38-34 triumph at the 2007 World Cup, and this should be another entertaining encounter. The Welsh haven’t lost to the Islanders since that fateful day in Nantes, drawing one and winning the last four.

Even though they’ll be resting several players, both because of the physical toll the narrow loss to the Springboks took and with an eye on next weekend’s Test against Australia, they should cover the spread against the Fijians, who beat Spain 43-13 last weekend but endured bloodbaths in their only top tier Test outings of the year against the All Blacks in July.

Prediction: Wales by 19.

Suggested Bet: Wales -14.5 at 1.88.

Quintin van Jaarsveld

Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a former MDDA-Sanlam SA Local Sports Journalist of the Year and a former three-time Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year. Formerly the sports editor and Outstanding Journalist of the Year award winner at The Fever Media Group, deputy editor at eHowzit, editor at SARugby.com and senior staff writer at Rugby365.com, he boasts over 15 years’ experience and is currently a freelance sports writer.