We take a look at 5 of the International Rugby World Cup warm-up games and suggest a bet in each of them.
Let’s start with the latest World Cup Outright Betting where New Zealand are trading as favourites at 5/2 ahead of France at 33/10. Ireland and South Africa are both at 9/2 with 12/1 and better the balance.
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SATURDAY
England v Fiji – Click here to bet
England were well beaten by Ireland in Dublin last week going down 29-10 despite the Irish not being anywhere close to their best. Prior to that they had a last gasp 19-17 home win over Wales avenging a 29 defeat the week before in Cardiff.
Fiji gave a good account of themselves last week against France going down 34-17 and they have beaten Japan, Samoa and Tonga comfortably in the last few weeks.
As the World Cup gets closer Fiji are giving the impression that they could be capable of causing a shock or two and against an England side that looks desperately short of form I am backing them to beat the handicap here.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Fiji +12.5 at 10/11
Scotland v Georgia – Click here to bet
Scotland were last in action 2 weeks ago away to France where they went down to a late penalty to lose 30-27 having come back from 27-10 behind. The week before they had come back from 21-3 down to beat a relatively inexperienced French side 25-21.
Georgia were too strong for the USA last week winning 22-7 and the week before that they beat fellow Rugby World Cup participants, Romania 56-6.
I have been impressed with Scotland of late, but expect them to treat this very much as a build-up match whereas I think Georgia could be targeting a strong performance.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Georgia +21.5 at 9/10
Italy v Japan – Click here to bet
Italy ran out comfortable 50 point winners at home to Romania last week and two weeks before that they were in Ireland where they beat the handicap going down 33-17.
Japan’s last action was on the 5th of August when they lost 35-12 to Fiji. Prior to that they had narrow wins over Tonga and Samoa.
Japan don’t look to be anywhere near as strong as they were when they hosted the last Rugby World Cup and I think that Italy can win this game going away.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Italy -12.5 at 9/10
Ireland v Samoa – Click here to bet
Ireland have had a relatively light schedule playing only 2 World Cup warm-up games so far. In early August they beat Italy 33-17 and then last week were 19 point victors at home to England despite looking quite rusty.
Samoa beat Tonga 34-9 in their last start on the 5th of August, but prior to that lost by 14 points to Fiji and beat Japan by 2.
Ireland should have few problems winning this game, but with the Rugby World Cup opening matches forefront in their minds I think that Samoa might be able to sneak the handicap.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Samoa +24.5 at 10/11
SUNDAY
France v Australia – Click here to bet
France were always in control at home to Fiji last week eventually winning 34-17, the week before that they let Scotland back into the game relinquishing a 17 point lead to eventually win with a penalty in the final minutes. That was their second successive game against Scotland having led 21-3 at the break at Murrayfield only to lose the match 25-21.
Australia will be looking to put some of the off-field drama behind them when they run out for the first time since the 5th of August when they lost 23-20 to New Zealand having led at the break. Prior to that they were beaten by 31 points by New Zealand in Melbourne and they also went down to Argentina at home.
France have put out a strong team for this game, but I am expecting the Wallabies to be competitive and reckon that they can beat the handicap.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Australia +13.5 at 10/11
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
