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
nickoldschool
Roar Guru
:) I think he was from the waikato region RT
The Moondawwg
Roar Rookie
Bet on ENG, SA, AUS, IRE and FRA to win. If NZ lose, you are a winner!!!! (or at least break even on ENG)
Rugby Tragic
Guest
Pass ...
nickoldschool
Guest
Yep that's interesting dave. The way I see it is that although the AB are favourites to win the whole thing they have or should have 2 big banana skins on their way to the final in qf (possibly vs the French or irish) and sf (probably vs the Boks ). And as good as they are they could still lose one of those 2 games, hence their presence in the final against Oz or England isn't 'that' certain after all. The $8.50 only depends on oz to win it whereas the $9 of a NZ v oz final depends on 2 teams hence the slightly higher odds. I read this week that a kiwi fan had put 50k on the ABs to win the whole thing. Wonder which roarer it is?...
Dave_S
Guest
I am a complete rookie when it comes to gambling, so please feel free to point out any obvious mistakes in my reasoning I notice Aust are $8.50 to win but $9.00 just to make the final (vs NZ). Presumably the latter is longer odds because we could play the final against someone other than NZ. But since NZ are a pretty good bet to make the final, and we are probably at best 50/50 to win if we make the final, that makes $9.00 to just make the final (vs NZ) pretty attractive doesn't it?