England vs Australia rugby union

Australia proved to have too much for England as they won 28-14 at Twickenham. There was no miracles in Ireland either as the All Blacks sauntered to a convincing victory as our bets paid off

Just as last week there are again three internationals this weekend and we shall start with the big one from Twickenham.

England vs Australia, Saturday 2.30pm, Sky Sports

Well would you believe that the bookies cannot separate the thrilling new England side that is full of pace and backs from the Aussies who have played in such a fashion for years? Well, I reckon I can and I am splitting my stake because of it.

Straight up back the Aussies at 6/5

While it is encouraging to see England running the ball I find it curious that we are ignoring the superb backs of Aussie – give them five attempts from England’s 22 and it is three tries scored. Mortlock and Cross are agressive in the centres, Giteau is back at 10 pulling the strings and they have the super snappy Luke Burgess back at scrum half.

Add in one of the most pilfering back rows in the game and it is obvious that an open game suits them. Their weakness is still a shambolic front row and so much of that depends on how penalising the ref is.

That is why I will trade this match with swings in possession and score and try to lay both around 1.7 but every instinct keeps me onside with the Aussies and that is the way I will trade.

I shall also take the money from the Scotland vs South Africa (which is on TV at the same time and has little value) game and play it on total points for England vs Aussie. Above 41.5 at 10/11 is good value for two open sides and I will back that just before play if the conditions are good. If there is rain and so on that bet is off.

Ireland vs New Zealand Saturday 5.15pm, BBC 2

There is a belief in the Emerald Isle that a famous victory is on against the All Blacks but I cannot have it. I have watched a lot of southern hemisphere rugby in the past year – both international and Super 14 – and this All Black side is formidable. They may be slightly weaker in the forwards than previously but are absolutely dangerous and thrilling with ball in hand.

Ma Nonu and Dan Carter are superb at centre and half-back, the scrum half can be weak, the back row is dominant and will fight the Irish who are no slouches in that area.

Again, this has to be a split bet.

All Blacks at 1/4

Total points at anywhere above 41 at 10/11 if available and no rain