Rugby Union World Cup betting and odds

World Cup / Editor / 29 August 2007 / Leave a Comment

Four years on from Jonny Wilkinson's late heroics in England's epic victory against Australia, the Rugby Union World Cup switches to France for the 2007 gathering of the game's top nations for a fantastic betting event.

Eighty six nations participated in the regional qualifying competitions that started in 2004. The eight quarter-finalists from the 2003 tournament automatically booked their place at this year's event, while 12 further nations have since secured their passage and now feature in the betting.

International powerhouse New Zealand start the tournament as the odds on favourites to steal England's crown and win their first World Cup since the inaugural competition in 1987.

Graham Henry's All Blacks are a formidable outfit and boast some of the game's top stars, including the awesome trio of fly-half Dan Carter, captain, flanker and IRB world player of the year Richie McCaw and flying winger Joe Rokocoko. It is no wonder they are the nation attracting most bets.

They enter the competition in hot form having successfully defended their Tri-Nations crown, despite going down to Australia in Melbourne - their first defeat to their great rivals since 2004.

They also humbled hosts France in two mid-year Tests to justify their odds as the world's number one ranked team

The betting suggests they should breeze past Pool C opponents Italy, Portugal, Romania and Scotland before facing a quarter-final showdown against the runner-up of Pool D - Argentina, France or Ireland.

The last-eight stage of the tournament is where the top teams traditionally start moving up the gears and the betting reflects the smaller elite pool. The likes of 2003 beaten finalists Australia, 1995 winners South Africa, host nation France and holders England will all feel they can cause an upset, while Wales and Ireland are more than a match on their day and will attract bets at decent odds.

Australia have won the competition twice since its inception in 1987, while those looking to bet on England should be reminded that no nation has ever retained the trophy.

The only nations to have hosted and won the Rugby World Cup are New Zealand (1987) and South Africa (1995) both favoured again in the betting.

The Southern hemisphere dominance of the quadrennial event, which extended over four World Cups, was finally ended in 2003 when England upset the odds to beat Australia, while there has only ever been one all-Southern final - in 1995 when South Africa beat the All Blacks in what was an exciting betting event.

You can bet South Africa will feel they have a strong chance of defying their odds and beating the imperious All Blacks again.

They are a physically imposing and aggressive outfit, led by the world-class second-row pairing of Victor Matfield and Bakkies Botha and bolstered by all-action flanker Schalk Burger who will alll attract bets in player-related betting markets.

The Springboks' most lethal weapon, however, is provided by powerful winger Bryan Habana, who notched his 22nd try in his 28th Test in the 27-3 victory over Scotland in the Bank of Scotland Corporate August Test.

The 2007 Ruby World Cup promises to be a cracker and each match provides fascinating in-play betting opportunities as the odds see-saw along with the action on the field and those looking for a bet benefit from a good understaning of the game.