Now that the Wallabies coaching dramas are behind them (yeah right), the Kurtley Beale saga is settling down (yeah right), ARU administration concerns are over (yeah sure) and all inside camp Wallaby is love, peace and mung beans (possible, not really) all eyes turn towards Europe where things can be made good again and the dramas of 2014 can be consigned to the wheelie bin of history (the one with the red lid, you certainly wouldn't want to recycle any of that garbage).
So there's plenty to play for for the men in gold but also plenty of interest for punters and tipsters with an eye for a bargain. The annus horribilis means the Wallabies are probably on the nose so it's likely they're generally going to be good value. But how good? This tipping and betting guide is your ticket to riches...
Barbarians v Wallabies, Saturday 1 November, Twickenham, London
It's always difficult to know what's going to happen with the Baa-baas and that's the point. They're predictably unpredictable but not in a French sort of way. Unlike the French, the Barbarians have no delusions of grandeur or pretensions at professionalism. Indeed the Barbarians are the last bastion of amateurism in the sense that they turn up two days before the game and only leave the bar for their one training session. So who knows what to expect except they'll throw the ball around and have some. It is a bad sign that coach John Kirwn has stacked the teams with recent All Blacks and Springboks (and Nick Cummins) so expect it to be fiery.
Headline the next day: They Said It Couldn't Get Any Worse. It Is Now.
Expected betting: Wallabies $1.65 Barbarians $2.60
Where's the value?: Who knows? No form to go on and anything could happen. Betting on this would be a gamble! Keep your cash in your wallet.
Prediction: Barbarians by 4
Wales v Wallabies, Saturday, 8 November, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Wales have a pretty good recent history in European Rugby with a couple of Six Nations titles under their belt in 2012 and 2013. But the fact of the matter is that they are Australia's bunnies. Wales haven't beaten Australia since 2008, indeed they've only beaten them twice since the 1987 Rugby World Cup. So for all the talk of Australia on the ropes and Wales looking forward to some home ground advantage come the next World Cup, the reality could be somewhat, well, realistic..
Headline the next day: A Wales Of A Time
Expected betting: Wallabies $1.70 Wales $2.50
Where's the value?: If ever Wales were going to upset the Wallabies it's going to be today. $20 on the roughie.
Prediction: Wales by 4
France v Wallabies, Saturday, 15 November, Stade de France, Paris
When France were in Australia they were rubbish. Indeed so awful were they that nearly beat the Wallabies in one god-awful match in Melbourne which in a gripping dire try-less boreathon they went down 6-0. The fact that they made Australia look good, a team which four months later completely imploded, losing matches to all three other Rugby Championship nations and a coach along the way, says everything you need to know about the French side. Sure they're playing at home this time and sure the French, on their day, can beat anyone, but the last time they had a day was against the All Blacks in the final of the last World Cup. And they still lost.
Headline the next day: That's Not a Croissant, That's a Bagel
Expected betting: Wallabies $1.80 France $2.20
Where's the value?: If there's one match the Wallabies are dead certs it's this one. Go big on gold.
Prediction: France by 4
Ireland v Wallabies, Saturday, 22 November, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
This time last year the Wallabies had rebounded from having 15 players suspended or sanctioned to beat Scotland then went on in celebration to comfortably wallop Ireland. This time round Ireland have won the Six Nations and will be out to make a statement. What kind of statement? Possibly one of the, "please stop it, you're hurting me" type although Ireland's record against Australia is pretty reasonable, including a win at the last World Cup.
Headline the next day: Irish Eyes Are Bloodshot
Expected betting: Wallabies $1.90 Ireland $1.90
Where's the value?: There's going to be a blow out either way, so whatever you do take the start.
Prediction: Ireland by 4
England v Wallabies, Saturday, 29 November, Twickenham, London
This will be big. Either the Wallabies will come into this match humbled and humiliated and out for redemption, or they'll be on a roll and on a high in the Cheika era and looking for a clean sweep in Europe of the type not seen since the bubonic plague. Either the way, the Wallabies will be pumped. Mind you, so too will be England. They had a disappointing Six Nations last time round and during their tour of New Zealand came up winless despite going close once. They are talking to talk though and do host the next World Cup, including being in the same pool as the Aussies so there's plenty to play for. It'll be cracker and be worth staying up for.
Headline the next day: English Rose On The Nose Say Old Foes
Expected betting: Wallabies $2.40 England $1.70
Where's the value?: The Wallabies lost to England last time round in England, but this time play them last up instead of first up. Go large on gold.
Prediction: England by 4
So there's plenty to play for for the men in gold but also plenty of interest for punters and tipsters with an eye for a bargain. The annus horribilis means the Wallabies are probably on the nose so it's likely they're generally going to be good value. But how good? This tipping and betting guide is your ticket to riches...
Barbarians v Wallabies, Saturday 1 November, Twickenham, London
It's always difficult to know what's going to happen with the Baa-baas and that's the point. They're predictably unpredictable but not in a French sort of way. Unlike the French, the Barbarians have no delusions of grandeur or pretensions at professionalism. Indeed the Barbarians are the last bastion of amateurism in the sense that they turn up two days before the game and only leave the bar for their one training session. So who knows what to expect except they'll throw the ball around and have some. It is a bad sign that coach John Kirwn has stacked the teams with recent All Blacks and Springboks (and Nick Cummins) so expect it to be fiery.
Headline the next day: They Said It Couldn't Get Any Worse. It Is Now.
Expected betting: Wallabies $1.65 Barbarians $2.60
Where's the value?: Who knows? No form to go on and anything could happen. Betting on this would be a gamble! Keep your cash in your wallet.
Prediction: Barbarians by 4
Wales v Wallabies, Saturday, 8 November, Millennium Stadium, Cardiff
Wales have a pretty good recent history in European Rugby with a couple of Six Nations titles under their belt in 2012 and 2013. But the fact of the matter is that they are Australia's bunnies. Wales haven't beaten Australia since 2008, indeed they've only beaten them twice since the 1987 Rugby World Cup. So for all the talk of Australia on the ropes and Wales looking forward to some home ground advantage come the next World Cup, the reality could be somewhat, well, realistic..
Headline the next day: A Wales Of A Time
Expected betting: Wallabies $1.70 Wales $2.50
Where's the value?: If ever Wales were going to upset the Wallabies it's going to be today. $20 on the roughie.
Prediction: Wales by 4
France v Wallabies, Saturday, 15 November, Stade de France, Paris
When France were in Australia they were rubbish. Indeed so awful were they that nearly beat the Wallabies in one god-awful match in Melbourne which in a gripping dire try-less boreathon they went down 6-0. The fact that they made Australia look good, a team which four months later completely imploded, losing matches to all three other Rugby Championship nations and a coach along the way, says everything you need to know about the French side. Sure they're playing at home this time and sure the French, on their day, can beat anyone, but the last time they had a day was against the All Blacks in the final of the last World Cup. And they still lost.
Headline the next day: That's Not a Croissant, That's a Bagel
Expected betting: Wallabies $1.80 France $2.20
Where's the value?: If there's one match the Wallabies are dead certs it's this one. Go big on gold.
Prediction: France by 4
Ireland v Wallabies, Saturday, 22 November, Aviva Stadium, Dublin
This time last year the Wallabies had rebounded from having 15 players suspended or sanctioned to beat Scotland then went on in celebration to comfortably wallop Ireland. This time round Ireland have won the Six Nations and will be out to make a statement. What kind of statement? Possibly one of the, "please stop it, you're hurting me" type although Ireland's record against Australia is pretty reasonable, including a win at the last World Cup.
Headline the next day: Irish Eyes Are Bloodshot
Expected betting: Wallabies $1.90 Ireland $1.90
Where's the value?: There's going to be a blow out either way, so whatever you do take the start.
Prediction: Ireland by 4
England v Wallabies, Saturday, 29 November, Twickenham, London
This will be big. Either the Wallabies will come into this match humbled and humiliated and out for redemption, or they'll be on a roll and on a high in the Cheika era and looking for a clean sweep in Europe of the type not seen since the bubonic plague. Either the way, the Wallabies will be pumped. Mind you, so too will be England. They had a disappointing Six Nations last time round and during their tour of New Zealand came up winless despite going close once. They are talking to talk though and do host the next World Cup, including being in the same pool as the Aussies so there's plenty to play for. It'll be cracker and be worth staying up for.
Headline the next day: English Rose On The Nose Say Old Foes
Expected betting: Wallabies $2.40 England $1.70
Where's the value?: The Wallabies lost to England last time round in England, but this time play them last up instead of first up. Go large on gold.
Prediction: England by 4
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