Rugby World Cup 2019 – Preview & Predictions
The biggest rugby tournament is just behind the corner as the World Cup is about to kick off on September 20th. Looking at it a couple of months before the start, we can’t but say there is one huge favourite to go all the way in Japan. New Zealand have won the silverware in past two editions, back in 2011 and 2015. Can they go for the hat-trick this time around?
*Outright Winner
Bookies price the All-Blacks as 11/10 (2.10) favourites to claim the third successive title at the competition. ‘Bookmakers will compete fiercely for players before and during this event. This means we are going to get some fantastic betting value in therms of great offers and odds’ told us Ethan Rowe, betting expert at bettingoffers.cash. They are set in Pool B together with South Africa, the only team capable of causing an upset against New Zealand there. The All-Stars have world-class players in their ranks, they have experience in both first and second lines and we can hardly imagine any side out there casing them troubles en route to winning the trophy.
The 2017 player of the year, Beauden Barrett, failed to make an impact in the previous New Zealand’s loss to South Africa, but don’t expect him to make wrong decisions this time at the biggest stage.
*Pool B
Speaking of Pool B, we have to mention South Africa who are seriously underestimated going into the tournament. They can be backed at 8/1 to go all the way and don’t forget they look to be the only team capable of ending New Zealand’s reign. South Africans can even be happy to be in the same pool with the All-Blacks, meaning they can’t meet them before the very final in the knockout stages.
*Pool A
Ireland are set as second favourites following their wins at grand slam Six Nations and a series in Australia. Nevertheless, they have rarely left an impression at World Cups where they are yet to reach the semi-final, not to mention final or potential title. This is why we see little value in backing the Irish to win the competition at the odds of 5/1. They are enormous favourites to be the first team of their pool which is no surprise given they should really have no troubles storming past the likes of Japan, Russia, Samoa and Scotland. A potential call for upset in the Pool A may be found in the very last game of the group stage when hosts Japan take on Scotland. Tickets are in huge demand for that match and knowing about Scotland’s recent shady form, we would not be surprised to see the hosts getting out this tie victorious.
*Pool C
Now we come to the so called group of death. We’d warmly advise you to skip any bets in terms of the group winner here as there are no doubts this specific pool will be by far the hardest to predict. We claim this because of the inconsistency in form shown by a group of generally strong teams.
England should be main favourites there, but note they have won just one match since beating Wales in February at home. Nevertheless, they have so many high-profile players in their ranks and such width will certainly play a big role in the latter stages of a long tournament.
The likes of France and Argentina have had their ups and downs over the last couple of years respectively. Both teams are capable of beating anyone on their day, but the South American outfit do seem to have more consistency which is why we can see them challenging England for the top of the poor before France.
*Pool D
Finally, the last pool is where Wales should be the dominant force ahead of the likes of Australia. They faced a huge problem with injuries for the previous World Cup. The health condition is incomparably better this time around and it will be interesting to see if they can claim some scalps in the knockout stage.
