Rugby League Betting: Value bets in WCC and Super League

Super League / George Riley / 26 February 2010 / Leave a Comment

Leeds clashed with Melbourne in the WCC two years ago. That day the Yorkshire club won - can they repeat that on Sunday?

"The battle for field position will come down to an arm wrestle in the props and I expect Jamie Peacock to have a massive game. But I fear it won't be enough and I can see Melbourne winning by a few scores."

Sunday's World Club Challenge dominates the rugby league diary this weekend and the betting is closer than you may expect. George Riley reports.

Leeds, injury hit and out of sorts in the first month of the season, trade at [2.44] to blow away the Storm, with Melbourne priced around [1.77] to keep the World Club Challenge trophy in Australia.

If Leeds can find the form that sealed their historic hat-trick of Grand Final wins then they can beat an Aussie side. But I'm not sure they can reach those heights and I see too much quality running through the Storm sid.

Melbourne have the best full-back in the world in Billy Slater, probably the best centre in the world in Greg Inglis, and certainly the top hooker on the planet in Cameron Smith. Leeds have not only been poor this term, they have suffered a series of big injuries, and although Brett Delaney is back in contention at centre after his knee injury, a three-month layoff for flying winger Scott Donald is a hammer blow. Carl Ablett is still out too.

To have a chance, Leeds captain Kevin Sinfield's kicking game has to be spot on, likewise that of Danny McGuire in the halves. As always the battle for field position will come down to an arm wrestle in the props and I expect Jamie Peacock to have a massive game. But I fear it won't be enough and I can see Melbourne winning by a few scores.

There's plenty of Super League this weekend. I'm off to watch St Helens [1.25] host Wakefield [5.3]. That's a ridiculous price on the Wildcats, who share the top of the table with Wigan. John Kear is one of the best coaches around and he'll have his team fired up for this one. Not for the first time issues off the field have disrupted Wakefield, with hooker Terry Newton's contract torn up following his positive drugs test.

Winger Damien Blanch is set to make his first appearance for 10 months after recovering from a broken hand, replacing Luke George, who has a hamstring injury.
St Helens captain Keiron Cunningham plays his 500th career game after missing the last two following a family bereavement but England international Jon Wilkin is out. I still expect Saints to win but the market makes me more tempted to go for another shock Wakey win over one of the big boys.

Friday night's TV game sees Harlequins go to Hull FC and I can't see Quins getting anything at [5.1] The home side [1.27] are far too good; mind you I said that last week and they suffered a huge upset, losing to Crusaders. But Hull will bounce back with a victory.

A Wigan win [1.2] over troubled basement boys Catalans looks a certainty - famous last words. Catalans [6.4] may look appealing and they are more than capable, but Olivier Elima is suspended and inspiration Thomas Bosc still injured so I think they'll struggle.

I like Castleford [1.57] to beat Hull KR and can't see past Bradford [1.41] to win at Salford.

Huddersfield v Warrington is the heavyweight contest of the weekend. The Giants are trading at [1.64] with Wolves underdogs at [2.2]. That price is a good one for a hugely talented side and I'm going to lean towards Tony Smith's men for that reason. I think these two are the best sides in Super League after Leeds and St Helens and I expect a fierce contest, won perhaps by a single score.

So this week I'm going for Melbourne, Bradford and then a coin toss for the third. I fancy a value away win for either Warrington or Wakefield. Warrington is the more likely.