World Cup prediction, where Wales stand and team to put money on...
CAST an eye over the betting at any British or Irish bookmaker and the All Blacks seem certain to create history by becoming the first team to win three successive Rugby World Cups.
Steve Hansen’s men, in what amounted to an experimental side, clung on to beat Argentina 20-15 in Buenos Aires at the weekend.
But they are 11/10 with Coral to land rugby’s biggest prize.
ANDY HOWELL assesses the odds you can get for their key rivals and Wales’ Pool D opponents Fiji...
ENGLAND 5/1
EDDIE Jones’ team fell away during the Six Nations after beating Ireland in Dublin during their opener but are the team most likely to trouble the All Blacks, according to bookies.
When you assess the depth of their squad and it’s physicality, it’s not a surprise to see them as second favourites.
IRELAND 11/2
BOOKMAKERS are clearly catering for the Irish market but the odds on Joe Schmidt’s team seem short to me.
Their record at the World Cup is awful, never having reached the last four, and they misfired during the Six Nations, being strangled up front by England and Wales with their veteran half-backs Conor Murray and Johnny Sexton seeming to be on the wane.
WALES 7/1
HOW Warren Gatland’s gang is behind England and Ireland is extraordinary when you weigh up the evidence and they’re great value at this price.
For Wales have put together a record 14-match winning streak, beaten South Africa and Argentina (both twice), Australia and completed a Grand Slam.
SOUTH AFRICA 9/1
CORAL are the most generous with the Springboks and they’re the country I’d be placing a sporting bet on.
They won in New Zealand last year, demolished Australia at the weekend, have a quality man manager in coach Rassie Erasmus and big and physical players. It wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if they go all the way in Japan.
AUSTRALIA 16/1
THE Wallabies were the first nation to lift the World Cup twice but they have major problems and all doesn’t look well in their camp.
They were trumped by an experimental South Africa in the Rugby Championship a couple of days ago so putting much on them would be a gamble.
However, it would be churlish to write them off at the World Cup because they have so much skill and will pose a significant danger to Wales in Pool D.
FRANCE 25/1
APART from the last World Cup when they were an embarrassing shambles as they waved the white flag of surrender against New Zealand virtually from kick-off, the French usually seem to get it together at the global showpiece.
They have some hugely promising young players coming through but it may be too soon for them although the odds on Les Bleus are generous and may be worth considering.
Rugby watchers expect them to click some day but it would be a major surprise if they confounded expectations in Japan.
SCOTLAND 40/1
THEY play some attractive rugby under shrewd coach Gregor Townsend but their odds aren’t so pleasing on the eye.
For there’s no way Scotland are good enough or have the depth to win the World Cup.
ARGENTINA 40/1
PUSHED a mix and match New Zealand all the way on Saturday night during a four-point loss after failing to take half chances as they failed to make the most of a golden opportunity to beat the All Blacks for the first time.
That was a familiar story because they are all too often the architects of their own downfall. However, they are capable of providing at least one upset and their odds are generous although a lack of consistency counts against them.
FIJI 500/1
THEY’RE an unbelievable price as they have their best squad in years, are Pacific Nations champions, good coaches and the sweltering heat and humidity of Japan should suit them.
If they were 500/1 to progress from a group containing Wales, Australia, Georgia and Uruguay, I’d be putting a tenner on Fiji but worth a small flutter as regards winning the tournament.
However, assuming they dispose of Georgia and Uruguay, Fiji, I suspect, will be fighting it out with Wales in their final match at the group stage to finish in the top two in order to qualify for the quarterfinals.