Loosehead's Weekend of Rugby

By Loosehead

Australia v Ireland

17th September 09:30 GMT ITV1

Only a few months ago Ireland were looking serious World Cup contenders. Their two big club sides were performing well with Leinster lifting the Heineken Cup and Munster winning the Celtic League. The International side finished the Six Nations with a fine victory over England and it looked like they were reaching their peak at just the right time.

Ireland’s drop in form since has been remarkable and they appear to be playing to a similar level of form as they did in the last World Cup, when they failed to progress from the pool stages.  They had two warm up matches at home, against France and England, and were comprehensively outplayed in both.  They also failed to impress against the USA last weekend, emerging victorious by just 12 points.  This weekend they face one of the big guns of International rugby, Australia, a side that appear to be peaking at just the right time following a fine victory over tournament favourites New Zealand, securing the Tri Nations in the process.

Clearly the difference in the form of these two sides has not gone unnoticed by the layers with handicaps approaching the low teens on offer.  I would suggest that the difference could well be even greater than this and until Ireland show a glimpse of improvement they remain a side to oppose on the handicaps.

Selection – Australia -11 to beat Ireland – 3 points at 2 Ladbrokes

Griquas v Pumas

17th September 14:00 GMT

Over the last five seasons the Griquas have faced the Pumas on five occasions, all of which the Griquas have been victorious.  Whilst the Pumas are probably an improved side this season, the fact remains that they have failed to register a single victory this season and they have a mounting injury list to cope with. 

The Griquas are a formidable force at Kimberley having already defeated two of the big guns, the Sharks and the Cheetahs, at this venue this season.  The hosts will still fancy their chances of securing a semi final spot and will be targeting a bonus point victory tomorrow.  They certainly have the ability to do so with the all important 9-10 combination of Sarel Pretorious and Earl Rose part of a back line that do not struggle to score tries.

Conditions are set to be perfect for running rugby and I expect the Griquas to maintain their fine record over the Pumas with an easy victory in a high scoring encounter.

Selection – Griquas -12 to beat Pumas – 4 points at 1.91 Betfred

Loosehead