by Ryan D Jaeger
The Rugby World Cup finally gets underway in New Zealand and we preview the
four key pool games of round 1.
This week we get our odds from
bet365 where you can claim a big £200 match bonus on first deposit.
Pool A: New Zealand vs Tonga
Handicap: New Zealand -59 (1/1), Tonga +59 (1/1)
Match Result: New Zealand (1/2000), Wales (9/2), Tie (33/1)
Our Pick: The hosts and their entire nation will be itching to get the
World Cup underway and the big talk has been who will do what Haka when. We can
tell you that it won't make one bit of difference to the result. New Zealand will
put a marker down in this game and blitz the big Tongans, who will fight bravely
but to no avail. Look for a big game from Israel Dagg at 15, one of the most
exciting backs you will see this tournament.
Best Bet:
- New Zealand by a winning margin between 21 and 40 points - 5/1
- Even money on the Total under 77
Pool B: Argentina vs England
Handicap: Argentina +14 (1/1), England -14 (1/1)
Match Result: Argentina (5/1), England (1/7), Tie (33/1)
Our Tip: England will win and win handsomely and cover the handicap
margin. Argentina do not have the same form coming into the tournament as they
did in 2007. The Roses have shown gradual improvement over the last year and are
starting to show glimpses of being a settled team. Martin Johnson will have them
fired up.
Best Bet:
- Tuilagi to score any time - 7/4
- England to score first by a penalty - 17/10
Pool C: Australia vs Italy
Handicap: Australia -31 (1/1), Italy +31 (1/1)
Match Result: Australia (1/80), Italy (22/1), Tie (50/1)
Our Tip: Many think that Australia poses the biggest threat to Nez
Zealand and if all goes to form, the two Southern Hemisphere teams should meet
in the final. Italy will try valiantly and make life hard for the Australians in
the forwards, but not have enough class to win. Australia has a ridiculous
amount of talent in their backline. The handicap is possibly a bit of an insult
to the Italians and even though the Aussies will run the Italians ragged, we
think they won't cover the margin.
Best Bet: First scoring play - Australia Try - 6/4
Pool D: Wales vs South Africa
Handicap: South Africa -13 (1/1), Wales +13 (1/1)
Match Result: South Africa (1/6), Wales (9/2), Tie (33/1)
Our Tip: We're not getting on the "South Africa is too old" bandwagon.
Wales say the South Africans don't play rugby. Whatever it is they do, it will be
enough to scrape past Wales in a game likely to be dominated by the boot in the
wet and wind.
Best Bet: South Africa by a winning margin between 6 and 10 points -
11/2
