In any big tournament involving an Australian team, it’s always a bit of fun to chuck a few hard earned dollars on them for national pride.
Putting money on the Wallabies will be, for most, a case of leading with the heart, but what about who the bookies think will win?
Not surprisingly, all bookmakers have New Zealand as the favourites to win the tournament ($2.25). England ($5.00), South Africa ($7.00), Australia ($8.50) and Ireland ($9.00) round out the top five.
New Zealand-England is the favourite combination for finalists ($4.50) while a New Zealand-Australia final is paying $9.00.
2011 Runner-Up France looks to be the value bet paying $17 to win the tournament. In a recent article in the UK’s Telegraph, experts agreed that France, although ranked 7th in the IRB Rankings are a dangerous team in a World Cup format.
Wales have blown out to $21 to win and really should be paying more considering they’re in the ‘Pool of Death’ and have lost Leigh Halfpenny and Rhys Webb to injury.
After Wales it’s a slippery slope and Argentina is the only team that’s got any chance of winning at $61. The other teams WILL NOT win and the likes of Namibia and Romania are paying $5001, presumably they’re not paying more than that just in case every other team comes down with food poisoning.
Of course, putting money on the winner is just one of hundreds of betting options. There’s also the option of betting on which stage teams will reach. Samoa, for example are paying $2.00 to make it out of the Group stages in Pool B where their closest rival on paper is Scotland.
If you want to bet against the Poms you’ll get $5.50 for them to be eliminated before the quarter-finals, which is not out of the question in the Group of Death.
If you’re going to bet on the tournament’s top try-scorer it’s not a bad idea to go with an All Black considering they’re likely to go deep in the tournament. Julian Savea is the bookies’ favourite at $6.00 with Nehe Milner-Skudder close behind at $8.00. Israel Falou is the best Wallaby option at $17.00.
As always if you are going to have a mug’s bet do so responsibly.
World Cup Odds (To Win)
New Zealand $2.25
England $5.00
South Africa $7.00
Australia $8.50
Ireland $9.00
France $17
Wales $21
Argentina $61
Scotland $126
Samoa $201
Fiji $751
Italy $1001
Tonga $1001
Canada $2001
Japan $2001
USA $2001
Georgia $2501
Namibia $5001
Romania $5001
Uruguay $5001*All odds are subject to change
Join The Roar rugby editor Christy Doran, former Wallaby Matt Toomua and a cast of regular and special guests as they look at the biggest issues in the game on The Roar Rugby Podcast. If you’re looking for great odds on the next game check out Aussie bookmaker PlayUp. Chances are you’re about to lose. Set a deposit limit.
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