The Autumn Internationals got off to a strong start last week with a thriller at Twickenham but this Friday sees the start of three weekends of blockbusting action.
England will still be wondering how they didn’t convert the win against the All Blacks, but there is little time to dwell on what-ifs for both sides.
Here are our predictions and odds from top rated rugby betting sites:
Autumn Internationals Rugby Week 2 predictions
We got off to a good start last week by backing England on the handicap. Let’s see how the bookies rate the teams in this second weekend of action and where the money should go.
New Zealand have crossed the Irish Sea and will open the second weekend on Friday evening with another tasty match-up against Ireland.
England clash with Australia on Saturday before Wales and Scotland conduct a Sunday double header against Fiji and South Africa respectively.
Ireland vs New Zealand
The All Blacks first played Ireland way back in 1905 and a 15-0 victory set the historical tone. Since then New Zealand has won 31 of 37 test matches between the two sides and Ireland just five. But apply the brake sound track with the volume high. All that is essentially old news because Ireland’s five wins have come in the last nine encounters, a run that start with a sensational triumph in the unlikely setting of Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois. In essence, then, this is a close one to call.
Ireland vs New Zealand odds
Here are the latest match odds for Ireland v New Zealand from Betfred.
- Ireland: 2/5
- Draw: 20/1
- New Zealand: 2/1
New Zealand to win
This is another great opportunity for the Irish to bloody the nose of rugby union’s historically greatest side. Andy Farrell is a superb coach with a wealth of talent at his disposal and Ireland have undoubtedly transformed the nature of this contest in the last decade. Those modern stats – Ireland has won five of the last nine – make Ireland deserved favourites but good punting is about value and a team that has won four of the last nine match-ups (and two of the last four) is value at 11/5. That the team is New Zealand is even more persuasive.
Bet on New Zealand to win at 11/5 with Betway
England vs Australia
England have played a lot of tight rugby matches in recent times. Their final four matches in last year’s Rugby World Cup saw them win by one, three and six points, and lose by one. In the Six Nations they won by one, two and three points, while losing by nine and two. They did thrash Japan in the summer, but they also lost to the All Blacks by one and seven points – and lost again to them by just two points last weekend. It’s been nerve shredding. Twickenham is close to demanding something less thrilling, more dominant and will be expectant because England has won 10 of the last 11 matches between the two teams.
England vs Australia odds
Here are the latest match odds for England v Australia from Betfred.
- England: 2/11
- Draw: 25/1
- Australia: 4/1
Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to score a try
Australia should be vulnerable in this first match of the tour. They have also lost by heavy margins in the summer but recent clashes between these two teams have been tight. Instead, back England’s electric winger Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to score another try. He did so last week against the All Blacks and it was the fourth match in a row he has crossed the white line (and fifth in six).
Choose Immanuel Feyi-Waboso to score a try at 4/5 with bet365
Wales vs Fiji
If we witness a repeat of the last two games between these two rivals we’re in for a Sunday lunchtime treat. In November 2021 Fiji led 23-14 with a quarter of the game to go but Wales fought back in style to complete a 38-23 victory. Then in last year’s Rugby World Cup a ding-dong affair ended with Wales winning 32-26. Wales have won 12 of 14 matches between the two teams and seven of eight on home soil (there was a draw in 2010).
Wales vs Fiji odds
Here are the latest match odds for Wales v Fiji from Betfred.
- Wales: 2/5
- Draw: 33/1
- Fiji: 21/10
Fiji to win
We backed the Fijians at a big price last week in Edinburgh and were subsequently disappointed to see them make a chaotic start. They essentially gave the Scots a 29 point headstart and lost so many players to yellow cards that despite a fightback they were fatigued late in the game. Fiji will be determined not to repeat those errors, encouraged that they have gone so close in those last two games against the Welsh and the home side will be under enormous pressure if it gets tight.
Pick Fiji to win at 23/10 with Betway
Scotland vs South Africa
Since South Africa were readmitted to world sport Scotland have struggled against them. In fact, they’ve won just twice in 21 matches. Even worse, the last win was in 2010 since when the Springboks have won eight in a row and six of those wins were by at least 15 points. The most recent match-up was in last year’s RWC when South Africa triumphed 18-3.
Scotland vs South Africa odds
Here are the latest match odds for Scotland v South Africa from Betfred.
- Scotland: 3/1
- Draw: 22/1
- South Africa: 1/4
South Africa (-9.5 points) to win
Keep it simple and take the RWC holders to maintain their recent dominance over the Scottish. Moreover, let’s back them to cover this handicap. This bet would have won in seven of the last eight matches between the two teams.
Tip South Africa (-9.5 points) to win at 10/11 with bet365
How to watch the Autumn Internationals Week 2
Ireland vs New Zealand:
- Location: Aviva Stadium, Dublin
- Date and Time: Friday 8th November, 20:10
- How to watch: Virgin Media One, Virgin Media Player, TNT Sport 1, TNT Sport Ultimate, Discovery +
England vs Australia:
- Location: Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, London
- Date and Time: Saturday 9th November, 15:10
- How to watch: TNT Sport 1, TNT Sport Ultimate, Discovery +
Wales vs Fiji:
- Location: Principality Stadium, Cardiff
- Date and Time: Sunday 10th November, 13:40
- How to watch: TNT Sport 1, TNT Sport Ultimate, Discovery +
Scotland vs South Africa:
- Location: Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh
- Date and Time: Sunday 10th November, 16:10
- How to watch: TNT Sport 1, TNT Sport Ultimate, Discovery +
Autumn Internationals Week 1 results
- England 22 – 24 New Zealand
- Scotland 57 – 17 Fiji
About the author
Matt Cooper
Matt Cooper has been a golf journalist for 15 years. He’s worked for, among others, Golf365, SkySports, ESPN, NBC, Sporting Life, Open.com and the Guardian. He specialises in feature writing, reporting and tournament analysis. He’s covered numerous Opens, Ryder Cups and Solheim Cups, and travelled to golfing destinations as varied as Kazakhstan, South Korea, Seychelles, Sri Lanka and Nepal.
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