Rugby Internationals 2022
The Scots were woeful last week but can improve and rate the play of the weekend on the handicap.
Rugby Internationals 2022: Japan v France
Saturday
06:50
Betting Angle Rugby Internationals 2022:
It was a game of two halves last week as Japan disintegrated in no uncertain fashion after the HT break, this after competing pretty well for the first 40min. Assuming, as I did, that the Japanese pack might be able to hold the huge French forwards in check, proved awfully optimistic and as the game wore on the hosts were more and more starved of any decent territory or possession.
The match takes place once again in Tokyo and both sides have made minimal changes to their starting XV’s.
Patches Pick:
The handicap has extended 2 points after last week’s 24-43 loss and that is currently music to my ears! Barring a ten-minute scoring spree from France, in which they ran in three tries, Japan were not as bad as the score-line suggests and I’m expecting a much-improved performance all around, especially around the set pieces.
3 Units Japan plus 19.5 points @ 17/20 to get us going!
Rugby Internationals 2022: New Zealand v Ireland Saturday
08:05
Betting Angle Rugby Internationals 2022:
Ireland must be terribly disappointed with their performance at Eden Park last Saturday and it was of greater concern to see them perform in a similar manner as they did against the Māori, especially as this was the “A” team. They were slow and lethargic and they look to be ripe for the picking once again under the roof in Dunedin this time around.
They’ve made just the one change with Mack Hansen replacing Keith Earls.
The All Blacks conceded early but after soaking up a little more pressure quickly shifted into gear, running in 4 converted tries to lead 28-5 at the break and, in effect, the game was over.
In stark contrast to the Irish, the hosts appeared fresh and dynamic and I do worry about Ireland conceding even more tries than the 6 they “leaked“ in Auckland.
Sam Whitelock is missing due to a concussion and that has resulted in a slight re-shuffle to the pack as Scott Barrett moves back to the second row and Auckland Blues skipper Dalton Papalii takes over at 6.
Patches Pick :
I feel Ireland could be standing on the edge of a precipice this match, they could either implode or rediscover some form. The handicap doesn’t interest me as a result and I hope Ireland will perform better but I’m not prepared to make a call. However, the 1st total points arrived for the blog last weekend and I will follow the same route once again.
2.5 Units, Highest Scoring Half 1st@ 21/20
Rugby Internationals 202: Australia v England
Saturday
11:00
Betting Angle Rugby Internationals 2022:
The Wallabies clawed their way back to an impressive win after playing a full half with only 14 men. Going into the break it seemed likely that England would take control of things but instead, it was Australia who began to bully England physically whilst they also played with more control and purpose.
England started and ended well but too many mistakes and an attack that looked very blunt until new sensation Henry Arundell took to the field scoring a try and encouraging England to score deep into normal time for a last try to finish within two points.
It was a poor performance by England who enjoyed an entire 40 minutes with an extra man but failed to make it count in any way.
Eddie Jones has made 4 changes, Sam Underhill replaces Tom Curry and there are starts for Guy Porter, Tommy Freeman and Jack van Poortvliet, while on the bench Jones has gone for a split of 6-2 in favour of the forwards.
Australia has made minor changes with the most important being in second row as Darcy Swain is suspended for two weeks due to his red card infringement and he is replaced by Matt Phillip. The pocket battleship, Taniela Tupou, returns at tighthead for the Wallabies.
The Wallabies have gone for a 5-3 split, meaning one less forward than England but an extra back.
Patches Pick:
This has the hallmarks of a banana peel. Can England pick themselves off the mat or will Australia, with a full complement on the field, take an unassailable 2-0 lead in the series. I almost hang my head in shame but will give England the benefit of the doubt and trust that the combinations will work a little better this weekend.
2 Units England plus 3.5 points @ 5/6.
Rugby Internationals 2022: South Africa v Wales
Saturday
16:05
Betting Angle Rugby Internationals 2022:
Wales were desperately unlucky not to finish the Loftus test with a win. Despite not having much of the ball in the first half, the Welsh were able to frustrate the hosts into making several errors whilst also able to mount decent counterattacks. However, it was the bench, introduced ten minutes into the second half that ultimately made the telling difference, forcing Wales to infringe and conceding too many penalties and ultimately tries.
A total of four yellow cards for the visitors with the last three in the final 15 minutes was just too much for Wales despite scoring a try with only 12 men on the field with a few minutes left to play.
The series moves to Bloemfontein where a similar elevation and thinner oxygen level will be experienced by the Welsh, though they didn’t appear to have any adverse effects last week. Springbok coach Jacques Neinaber makes wholesale changes to his starting XV with only Eben Etzebeth remaining.
It’s quite a risky decision to make, though the side that’s been named is as strong as it was last week in my opinion.
What do Wales do now? After blowing a sizable lead in Pretoria they’ll know that to play themselves into a winning position, a similar performance will be required once more but do they have it?
For a start, just one change on the wing as Alex Cuthbert makes his 52nd appearance therefore they are sticking with the same team.
Patches Pick:
Wales covered the handicap last week despite not having much sight of the ball. There is a positive nonetheless with the hosts gambling on the wholesale team changing strategy. The handicap has come down several points on the back of this announcement and has me scratching my head. It’s not a confident call, so just 2 Units Wales plus 11.5 points @ 5/6.
Rugby Internationals 2022: Argentina v Scotland
Saturday
20:10
Betting Angle Rugby Internationals 2022:
The Pumas were able to reward their fans with a workmanlike win under new appointed Australian coach Michael Cheika and do look likely to improve even further with that run under the belt. They managed to outscore Scotland by 3 tries to 2 and were never in doubt as Scotland made their task even easier with poor handling and decision making.
This weekend they are in Salta with an elevation similar to last week in San Salvador of 3800’.
Scotland have made a few minor changes most notably London Irish no 9, Ben White, gets a start and Hamish Watson returns for his 50th appearance,
Patches Pick:
Scotland wasted a lot of chances last week and only lost by 8 points somehow! With both sides expected to be a little better prepared this week, I imagine we’ll have the result balanced on a knife-edge and my feeling is that the Scots should be good enough to cover this start.
3 Units Scotland plus 7.5 points @ 17/20.
Bet on rugby at www.hollywoodbets.co.uk or www.hollywoodbets.ie
