Betting tips / Andy Morris / 29 October 2011 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

It's regarded by some people as a joke, by others as an event that should be played more often, but Andy Morris still thinks that the International Rules series is worth a punt.

The fixture at Etihad Stadium certainly has plenty of talking points.

Australia have an inexperienced team, but go into this one buoyed by their double success against Ireland last year.

They won the First Test by seven points at Gaelic Grounds in Limerick, then held off the Irish to win by three points in the second game at Croke Park, Dublin.

Generally speaking, the visiting team tends to do well in these fixtures, and over time things have evened themselves out: both teams have 10 wins from the 22 meetings.

Rodney Eade coaches the Australia squad, which is captained by Melbourne's Brad Green.

Ireland are led by skipper Stephen Cluxton, who plays his Gaelic football for Dublin.

The rules are still confusing to the average person, since they are a combination of Australian rules and Gaelic football. The game uses two large posts and two small posts as in Australian rules and a crossbar and goal net as in Gaelic football. Into the net - a goal - scores six points; over the crossbar and between the two large posts - an 'over' - scores three points; and between a large post and a small post - a behind - scores one point. There are four 18-minute quarters and each team consists of 15 players including a goalkeeper.

The downturn of the Irish economy has apparently prompted several first-choice players to remain at home, though they are able to include AFL players Pearce Hanley, Colm Begley and Tadhg Kennelly.

Ireland start 1.01 favourites, with Australia 11 in match odds betting to take out the series.