Ireland vs. Australia – Rugby Tips & Predictions

Ireland and Australia meet on Sunday where bookmakers have the home side as firm favourites.

Australia is having a tough time after famously losing to Italy and Ireland is playing well, but it might not be as one-sided as the market suggests.

Bookmakers have Ireland at $1.23 to continue their winning ways on their end-of-year tour and Australia is $4.20.

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Ireland vs Australia Predictions

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Ireland vs Australia Betting Tips

Ireland is making the claim to be the best team in Europe after beating South Africa 19-16 and Fiji last week.

The win over South Africa was closer than expected but it was a gutsy effort and they were always going to destroy Fiji. However, Australia poses a different threat despite what the odds suggest.

Australia is hurting after suffering an historic loss to Italy, but that’s when the Wallabies could be at their most dangerous. The 28-27 loss was out of character for the Wallabies, who showed great toughness when losing to France 30-29.

If that Australia turns up, the +12.5 points is well worth snapping up. The Wallabies are good enough to keep the game close, especially if the forward pack lives up to its potential. We expect the likes of James Slipper, Tom Robertson, and Nick Frost to get over the ball and try to force turnovers at the breakdown.

The Irish pack is big, so it won’t be easy, but it all starts in the forwards for Australia, so they need to muscle up before spreading it to the talented back line.

Giving up 28 points to Italy after restricting France to 30 points isn’t good enough. The defence needs to stand up and impose itself. Otherwise, Ireland will get go-forward ball and that often results in tries and penalties.

We’re prepared to take Australia with the points start. We thought bookmakers would have had Australia around +9.5, so we’ll take the extra points.

Bet: Australia +12.5 @ $1.90 – Bet @ BlueBet

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Ireland vs Australia Exotic Tips

We expect Australia to cover the spread but Ireland should win. Punters get $3 for Ireland to win 1-12, which is well worth taking as an exotic bet.

It’s unlikely to end in a blowout, and we don’t think Australia is playing well enough to win outright, so it’s the logical play and the odds are generous.

We also fancy Tom Wright to score for Australia. He has been in solid try-scoring form and it could be an open contest, if the last two weeks are anything to go by.

Punters get $4 for Wright to score, which is a much better price than the likes of Ireland’s Mack Hansen and Dan Sheehan at $2.25.

There is also a halftime points spread line of 6.5. We think Australia should start strong after their dismal effort last week, so it could be a closely-fought contest after 40 minutes, especially if they trade penalties in the opening stages.

Take the Wallabies to keep it close at the half and the +6 line has been backed into $1.88, so it’s well-supported.

Bet: Ireland 1-12 @ $3 – Bet @ BlueBet