The Rugby World Cup is entering the final stages, this weekend featuring the semi-finals. Punters will be wondering how to get their money back following last weekend’s quarter-finals. While Wales defeating Ireland was not a big surprise, it still went against the odds. The real surprise was France’s victory over England. This has created an interesting semi-final between the two winners, and that match is then followed by the intriguing New Zealand v Australia semi-final.

Bookmakers are at a loss to know who to make favourite in the France v Wales match. A quick run around the leading online bookmakers saw the majority quoting Wales as favourites with the best price available 10/9 – the general consensus being 11/13. France has edged Wales at 9/10 with one or two bookmakers, the best price on offer being 11/8.

This will be a tight game with both sides fielding good attacking sides. It will be the defense that tells the real story in this semi-final, and that may just favour France. We’re tipping France in a tight game that may even come down to field goals late in the game.

In tomorrow’s second semi-final, New Zealand are short odds to defeat Australia. Statistically, Australia should win. They have defeated the Kiwis at the last two meetings in a World Cup, and they have a recent good win over them. The Kiwis are at home, and that’s a huge bonus to them. Eden Park is one of their favoured grounds as well, and Australia hasn’t won their since 1984. Much will depend on the New Zealand mind set. They have been the dominant team in world rugby for over 20 years, yet they only have the one World Cup to show for it – they seem to get stage fright when it gets to this point in a major tournament.

The Kiwis are at 5/11 to win with the Aussies at 12/5. Given the injuries to the leading Kiwi playmakers, we’re tipping a tight game. The Kiwis should win, however, for value, we’re backing the Aussies to win by less than 5.