Mixed Bag Rugby Autumn International Weekend

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I do not bet on sports mainly for the reason as nothing is a sure thing or guaranteed win. The red card could change a result and why there is always a risk factor that you cannot count on. The Northern Hemisphere referees blow the game differently and why games can be tougher than normal.

After last weekends results we can kind of predict more accurately which teams are in form and what teams are still to ignite the litmus paper. Last weekend we saw the Scottish team take the All Blacks to the wire and South Africa dominate the French. Wales were thumped by the Argentinians and Ireland left it late to run away with a comfortable victory against Japan. The only shock result if you consider it a shock these days was Italy defeating Australia. Any Southern Hemisphere team with South Africa, Argentina, All Blacks and Australia losing to a Northern Hemisphere team is considered an upset. Maybe Australia being the weakest of the bunch not so much

This weekend Italy take on South Africa and one must not underestimate the Italians plus there is always the risk of red and yellow cards. Last weekend the SA team played with one player less and this is always the risk when you try and dominate other teams through physicality. The SA team has made 11 changes since last weekend so I do not think it will make much difference and SA will win by 20.

England who play the All Blacks have a great chance to create an upset especially playing at home. This is the top pick of the weekend games and this game should be close and could go either way. England are using SA tactics by having a quality bench of replacements to make the difference in the last 20 minutes of the game. I am still leaning towards the All Blacks however as England are still England and nothing much to shout about and nothing proven. All Blacks on paper should win this if no players are red carded as the All Blacks after last weeks performance need to step up their game. This is seen as an insult for Southern Hemisphere teams to lose against the English and why the All Blacks will be up for this game. England have only beaten the All Blacks 5 times since 1933 so this is very rare when it happens. My head tells me England though as the All Blacks are not playing like they should and England to win by 10.

Wales play Japan and this is going to be close as Wales are seriously struggling to compete these days and are the weakest of the top European teams. The only game the Welsh have won in recent times was against Japan, but they also lost to Japan on their summer tour. Crazy to think Japan has a chance and you can guarantee the Japanese have penciled in this game as their opportunity of a win on tour. There is nothing between these 2 teams and only tip Wales as they have home ground advantage.

Ireland take on Australia and again this is a tough call because the Australians are not consistent. Ireland are not what they used to be and they seemed to struggle against Japan last week so I would go with Ireland by 3, but also Australia could win by 12. I still have to favor Ireland for this and is literally the flip of a coin.

Finally Scotland play Argentina tomorrow and even though the Scots came close against the All Blacks I have to side with the Argentinians. The Scots will have to pick themselves up again after the drama of losing in the last few minutes last week when they should have won. Argentina are just too powerful up front and the only problem like all the games is the officiating and the dreaded red and yellow cards.

Update. Turns out cards did play a role this weekend and I am 4 from 4 with the Scotland Argentina game still to be played today.

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