Match Day 2 of the World Rugby U20 Championships takes place on Thursday and we take a look at all 6 games from a betting angle.
After a dominant opening victory over Japan, France have shortened into 2/1 favourites to win the Title with South Africa steady at 5/2. New Zealand have drifted to 9/2 and you can get 11/2 Ireland, 8/1 Australia and 12/1 and better the balance.
Australia v Ireland – Click here to bet
Handicap: Australia +5.5
Bookmakers have actually priced this as a choice game, but the money has come for the Irish who are now set to start 5 or 6 point favourites.
In their opening game Australia were too strong for Fiji winning an entertaining encounter 46-37, but it wasn’t the convincing win many would have expected.
Ireland started favourites in their match against England, but despite arguably having the better of the match they ended up settling for a 34-34 draw and a victory in this match for both teams is absolutely crucial.
Based on what I saw in the opening matches the money that has come for Ireland is spot on and I am backing them to beat the Handicap.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Ireland -5.5 at 19/20
France v New Zealand – Click here to bet
Handicap: France -10.5
This handicap opened up France -4.5, but that didn’t last long as the money came for the Tournament favourites. They were very impressive in their opening game against Japan, winning 75-12 and making light work of a 30 point handicap.
New Zealand were also given a 30 point handicap, but in their favour as they were expected to hammer a Welsh side that had finished bottom of the Six Nations. In the end they had to come from behind to squeak the game 27-26.
It may be dangerous to read too much into the French victory over Japan, but I was really impressed with them and by contrast New Zealand don’t look anything like some of the junior sides we have seen over the years. I am going for France to get a comfortable win.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, France -10.5 at 9/10
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Wales v Japan – Click here to bet
Handicap: Wales -25.5
Wales almost pulled off a massive upset when they went down by 1 point to New Zealand in their opener and they will certainly have taken plenty of confidence out of that game.
The same cannot be said for a Japanese side that lost by 63 points to France and it is no surprise to see Wales installed as massive favourites here.
This is a game where I will be looking at the total points lines closer to kick-off with a view of going unders on Japan points, but knowing Wales have to push for a big victory I am happy to take the -25.5 at this point.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Wales -25.5 at 19/20
South Africa v Italy – Click here to bet
Handicap: South Africa -17.5
South Africa started off strongly against Georgia and it looked like they might make short work of the 22 point handicap, but the Georgians came back and eventually South Africa were hard pressed to win by 10 points 33-23. They have made a number of changes to their team now and having opened 20 point favourites for this game, Italy are now being given a 17 point start.
It is hard to know what to read into Italy’s opener against Argentina as they looked good early, but then went down to 14 men and it wasn’t long before Argentina took control of the game winning 43-15.
The South African side may take a while to test out new combinations and I am going to go for Italy to stay in touch at the break.
Suggested Bet: First-Half Handicap, Italy +8.5 at 17/20
Argentina v Georgia – Click here to bet
Handicap: Argentina -7.5
Much like it was difficult to read too much into Italy’s performance you have to wonder how impressive Argentina were in their victory against effectively 14 men. Personally though I think they did enough to suggest that they are going to be contenders in this Tournament and they face a Georgian side that fought hard before going down by 10 points to South Africa.
This handicap opened Argentina -14.5, but has halved with money coming in for the Georgians and I am more than happy to see that as I like Argentina and will be taking the current -7.5 on offer.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Argentina -7.5 at 19/20
England v Fiji – Click here to bet
Handicap: England -16.5
England played out the 34-34 draw against Ireland and it was certainly a game that either team could have felt they had chances to win. What that does mean is that a slip up against Fiji would be terminal, while Fiji themselves have to win having lost by 9 points in a high scoring game to Australia.
I think that England’s pack have the ability to take control of this game and I am going to back them to beat the handicap.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, England -16.5 at 19/20
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
