The Rugby Union World Cup is down to the quarter finals stage and with eight teams left in the competition, it is perhaps the most wide open finish in World Cup history. Of the eight, Argentina look to be only the side who would struggle to lift the trophy – there are seven other sides all have legitimate claims on victory, and much will depend on this weekend’s quarter-finals. New Zealand, as hosts, are understandably favoured to win, however, they have a tough road to the finals.
England look to be well placed as they take on France for a place in the semis. While France have played well, England have been very good and should have all the answers required to defeat them. Bookmakers have made England a firm 3/5 favourite to win with France easing to almost 2/1. England will go into this game knowing who their opponents are in the semi-finals as their game follows the Wales – Ireland game.
Bookmakers don’t know what to make of this game. Ireland have been a real surprise package having closed out Australia in a shock win, then maintaining that form to win their pool. Wales have been solid without being spectacular. The downside to Ireland’s play is that, rather than playing to score and win, they are playing to shut-out the opposition with a strong defense, then building a win on the back of penalties. Bookmakers have Ireland at 5/6 and Wales at 11/8 – we’re tipping Ireland to win making for a great semi-final between them and England.
The other half of the draw is where the action will be thick. New Zealand have an easy quarter-final against Argentina. The Kiwis are 1/33 to win with the Pumas unfancied at 22/1. The Kiwis to win easily. The other quarter-final has South Africa meeting Australia with the winner then to play New Zealand. It’s not often the three strongest team in a Rugby Union World Cup end up in the same half of the draw – but that’s what happens when one team losses a game they were expected to win.
Australia are quoted at 1/1 while the South Africans are at 6/5. Australia will go into this game full of confidence having beaten the South Africans twice in recent months. However, South Africa are sending in a completely different team this time, and it’s a team that has a combined total of over 800 international games – that’s plenty of experience. We’re tipping South Africa to win and to play the Kiwis in the second semi-final.
In Rugby Union World Cup betting, the Kiwis still lead the bookmakers charts at 4/5 followed by Australia at 8/1, South Africa at 9/1 and England at 11/1. We’re backing England to win with a side bet on South Africa – they could surprise everyone.