The 1st Test between Australia and England was a riveting affair, and after the Wallabies took the match, is the smart money now to wager on a 3-0 series win for the hosts?
Going into the series the two sides were regarded as neck-and-neck. Now after the 1st Test, Australia looks like the team in the ascendancy, and a 3-0 series win now looks like a real possibility.
The 1st Test finished 30-28 to Australia, which looks close on the scoreboard. But that doesn't tell the whole story of what happened in Perth last Saturday morning.
Australia v England; The Story So Far
With 20 minutes to go, England looked in control. They led 14-9 after a penalty from Owen Farrell in the 60th minute. The hosts had been playing with 14 men for nearly half of the match at this point after they lost Darcy Swain to a 34th-minute red card.
So, with England a score ahead at this point, and the hosts going into the final 20 minutes with 14 men, surely the match was all set up for a win for Eddie Jones' team?
What happened next could be the defining period of play in the series. The Aussies spent the next 15 minutes beating the English up, scoring three converted tries between the 63rd and 77th minutes.
At this stage, Australia was now 30-14 up and had the match won. England hit back with a converted try after 79 minutes, and then in time after the 80 minutes hooter, Eddie Jones' side scored another converted try to make the scoreline a more respectable 30-28.
"It's painful, but we're committed to win the series 2-1"
Eddie Jones spoke to the media after England's loss to Australia.
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— England Rugby (@EnglandRugby) July 2, 2022
So, in short, what was the real story of the match? Was England the better side who switched off for 20 minutes and was hit by a sucker punch? Or would Australia have demolished England if they had 15 men for the whole 80 minutes?
Australia v England; 2nd Test Betting
The best sites for Rugby betting online have the Wallabies going into the 2nd Test match as slight favorites after their win in the first match.
| Aus v Eng 2nd Test Betting |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Australia | TBC | -138 |
| Draw | TBC | +2000 |
| England | TBC | +120 |
| Australia -3.5 | TBC | -110 |
| England +3.5 | TBC | -115 |
Although still relatively close, the latest rugby odds have slightly tilted more towards Australia. It would appear that the jury is still slightly out with the best rugby betting sites as to who is the superior side in this series.
This indecision from the best online sports betting sites is where the value lies though. England had chances to put the Wallabies to bed. But a combination of poor finishing when on the Aussie try line, missed tackles, and some ill-discipline gave the Aussies the lifeline they needed.
This isnât a one-off. England has now lost their last four games in a row, and all the above issues have been there throughout. So what makes anybody think things will change this Saturday for the 2nd Test in Brisbane?
2nd Test Match; All You Need To Know
The 2nd Test match is this Saturday, with the 3rd taking place the following week. Unfortunately for us all on Eastern Time, watching the match involves an early start to the day with kick-off at just before 6 in the morning. The 3rd Test is the same.
- What; Australia v England
- Where; Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland
- When; Saturday, July 9th, 2022
- Time; 5.55 am ET
Itâs hard to make a case for England to stop the rot at the moment. Itâs the end of the domestic English season, and most of these players will have had a long campaign and will be wanting it to end.
Try as they might, the England players will find it hard mentally and physically to match the Aussie players. The Aussies are in mid-season, and as a result, they will be in a better place than their northern hemisphere opponents.
With the odds on the Moneyline and the handicap market both close, itâs probably a safer bet to just back Australia to win on the moneyline if youâre planning on placing a wager on the 2nd Test.
Is the Clean Sweep on for Australia?
Going into this series, England had beaten Australia eight times in a row. The Aussies will know this only too well, and now theyâve stopped the rot, they will be looking for revenge.
The Wallabies will see winning the remaining two matches in this series as a great chance to get three wins in a row against the old enemy. They are up against an England team at the end of their domestic season, lacking in confidence, and already 1-0 down in a best-of-three series.
This is the Aussies' best chance in years to hammer an England side. Six years ago when England toured Australia, the tourists romped to a 3-0 win. So the scene is set for a Wallaby massacre, and I canât see any reason why Australia wonât beat England 3-0 this time around.
