Autumn Internationals week 3 tips: Red Rose run to continue in Fiji fixture and more
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2016 Autumn Internationals week 3 tips
The Autumn Internationals continue on Saturday as England face their easiest test on paper for some time in Fiji.
Scotland encounter Argentina after both sides suffering narrow losses last time out, while Wales meet 2019 Rugby World Cup hosts Japan, but the big game is Ireland against New Zealand.
Can Joe Schmidt’s Irish replicate their historic success over the All Blacks in Chicago from a couple of weeks ago now on home soil?
What are the best England v Fiji odds, Wales v Japan bets and Ireland v New Zealand punts to take? Coral’s rugby union expert takes a look at the top 2016 Autumn Internationals week 3 tips on offer this week…
England v Fiji odds
Eddie Jones’ Red Rose can feel assured of victory because the hosts have won all six previous games against Pacific Island nation Fiji.
The most recent of those came during last year’s Rugby World Cup when England ran out 35-11 winners. A look at the alternative handicap betting for a win by a far bigger margin is a definite shout here.
Red Rose number eight Billy Vunipola crossed in that pool opener and can be backed for a try again at evens after proving his fitness, though the likes of Mike Brown and Jonny May are rested completed.
Semesa Rokoduguni and Jonathan Joseph come in alongside Alex Goode, while Elliot Daly moves from centre to the wing. A tasty tryscorer special treble of 5/2 for Rokoduguni, Jospeh and Vunipola all to cross may be worth a wager.
Kicker Owen Farrell has also chipped in when it comes to tryscoring of late, so take the centre to follow up on two in his last three internationals at 13/8.
Fiji winger Nemani Nadolo is now catching the eye with French Top 14 team Montpellier after moving from Southern Hemisphere Super Rugby franchise Canterbury Crusaders.
Nifty Naholo boasts 17 tries for his country from 23 caps, including one against England last year, so looks an attractive punt at 11/8 to go over again.
Wales v Japan bets
The Dragons lost their last Test away to Japan, but won all previous eight and hold a 100 per cent home record against the Brave Blossoms.
Backing Wales in the alternative handicap market to cover -32 points rewards you with odds of 8/5, and they’ve always managed this in Cardiff.
Welsh backs Liam Williams and Gareth Davies got tries against Argentina last time out, but the latter is rested. Williams features in a terrific enhanced matchday special of 2/1 to score two or more here.
The Brave Blossoms’ main threat comes from in-form Kiwi-born back Lomano Lava Lemeki, who has three tries in two caps since converting from rugby sevens. Lemeki is a 5/4 anytime tryscroer chance.
Ireland v New Zealand punts
Knowing the Irish would have to face at the All Blacks again, Schmidt took the sensible precaution of resting his Chicago heroes for a far easier assignment against Canada. Just Sean O’Brien in for Jordi Murphy in the back row is the only change from that Chi-Town rumble.
There is value in backing lightning to strike twice, with a rewarding price of 11/2 available on another Ireland win over the Kiwis.
Home scrum half Conor Murray came in when tipped as a tryscorer and now boasts five crossings in his last nine caps. There’s no hesitation, then, in recommending him to go over again at 3/1 anytime when it comes to Ireland v New Zealand punts.
All Blacks coach Steve Hansen has a plethora of threats, and Pacific Islands natives Malakai Fekitoa and Waisake Naholo scored the first and last tries respectively in the 68-10 demolition of Italy last time out.
Nifty Naholo is one to watch from the bench and thus for in-play betting on rugby this time around, but powerful centre Fekitoa looks smart value at 2/1 to go over again.
His inclusion in midfield is one of five alterations to the New Zealand, who notably recall Rugby World Cup winning second row duo Simon Whitelock and Brodie Retallick.
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