Australia vs Ireland Prediction & Betting Tips - Nations Championship

Prediction published on 02/07/2026, 06:10  by Ita Emmanuel | Modified on 04/07/2026 at 08:10 in Nations Championship Predictions

World No.3 Ireland open their Nations Championship campaign traveling to face eighth-ranked Australia at the Sydney Football Stadium. Having won their last four matches, the Men in Green are favorites against an Australian team that has lost each of its last four Tests, hence our prediction supporting the away team.

Australia have a chance to make amends as they begin their Nations Championship campaign against European opposition after what turned out to be a disappointing end-of-year tour of the Northern Hemisphere. However, confidence within the Wallabies' camp will be low after losses in all four matches on that tour. 

They came out second-best, losing 48–33 to France in their final Test, and that result marked their seventh defeat in eight matches overall. The prospects aren't looking good either on the home front for the Joe Schmidt-led team, with seven of their last 10 home matches ending in defeat. 

Ireland are on the opposite end of the form spectrum. They arrive here off the back of four consecutive wins in the Six Nations – a run that saw them narrowly miss out on the title by just two points.

Andy Farrell's men saw off Scotland 43–21 last time out and have put together seven wins in their last eight away matches. They have swept each of their last five encounters with Australia.