Rugby World Cup Tip and Preview
Rugby World Cup Tip And Preview 2019
We usually focus on racing, darts and F1, but with the week that’s in it we have decided to diversify! In just a couple of days the greatest rugby union show on Earth kicks off in Japan. The opening game sees the hosts take on Russia in Tokyo. This year’s Rugby World Cup looks more open than the last couple of renewals. New Zealand minus Richie McCaw are not quite as formidable, while the emergence of South Africa has really shaken things up. Ireland, England and Wales carry the hopes of the Northern Hemisphere. If you are thinking about having an outright bet, check out our free Rugby World Cup tip and preview for the 2019 edition below…
Rugby World Cup: The Main Contenders
Here we take a brief look at the main contenders for the 2019 Rugby World Cup. First team under the spotlight are the favourites and reigning Champions, New Zealand.
New Zealand
Coach: Steve Hansen
Captain: Kieran Read
2019 Rugby World Cup Odds: 6/4 (Betfair, Unibet)
The All Blacks may be 6/4 favourites, but they look far from invincible this year. They have won the last two World Cups and their last win was their easiest yet. However, a couple of their key men from that campaign have retired. Talismanic fly half Dan Carter no longer plays at International level. Their former inspirational leader and captain Richie McCaw is also gone and he is a massive loss.
Some of their main men are getting on a bit too. Sonny Bill Williams is 34 now, while Brodie Retallick is carrying an injury into the tournament. New Zealand could only manage 3rd in the Rugby Championship. They narrowly beat Argentina, lost heavily to Australia and drew with South Africa. That form does not inspire confidence and they do not look like the force they once were. Their opening match against the Springboks will tell an awful lot.
South Africa
Coach: Rassie Erasmus
Captain: Siya Kolisi
2019 Rugby World Cup Odds: 9/2 (MoPlay)
The Springboks are a proud rugby union nation but they spent quite a few years in the wilderness. A defeat to Japan in 2015 was one of their lowest points, but they are now a team on the up. Their results improved dramatically in the last 12 months and they won the Rugby Championship. They have a nice blend of youth and experience in their squad and physically they are massive.
Their star winger Aphiwe Dyantyi was banned for doping in the run up to the tournament, but they have depth in that position. Kolisi will captain the team while Handre Pollard will orchestrate proceedings at fly half. This South African side will hit harder than any other team in this competition. If they can beat New Zealand in their opener it will fill them with confidence and they could bully their way to the title. Odds of 9/2 won’t last long if they beat the All Blacks.
Australia
Coach: Michael Cheika
Captain: Michael Hooper
2019 Rugby World Cup Odds: 18/1 (Boylesports)
The Wallabies have had some very good results in the past year, but they have also had some poor ones. They were brilliant when beating New Zealand 47-26 in the Rugby Championship, but South Africa were far too good for them. However, Michael Cheika is a very shrewd operator and it would be foolish to write them off completely. They are two time Rugby World Cup winners and they were similarly unfancied when they reached the final in 2015.
Captain Michael Hooper is one of the best openside flankers in the world and they have David Pocock too. The loss of Israel Folau is a huge blow and any team would miss a player of his ability. They have the guile and experience of Kurtley Beale at full back and the exciting White/Lealiifano axis behind the scrum. At odds of 18/1 the bookies don’t rate the Aussie’s chances. However, if they make the semi finals, anything is possible. The Wallabies are more than capable of beating any team on their day.
England
Coach: Eddie Jones
Captain: Owen Farrell
2019 Rugby World Cup Odds: 9/2 (Skybet)
The Northern Hemisphere side with the best chance of lifting the Webb Ellis Cup is England. Ireland may be ranked higher, but this England team is peaking at the right time. They were out of form for a good 18 months, but Eddie Jones knew what he was doing. His seemingly questionable decisions during that lean spell are now paying rich dividends. With only 4 players over 30 years old, this is a young, fit and hungry squad.
Although it is a relatively youthful squad, they have plenty of experience and caps between them. Owen Farrell, the captain, is only 27 yet he has already amassed 73 caps. 26 year old George Ford has 59. The Vunipola brothers bring power and soft hands to the pack and they can also call upon players like Launchbury, Itoje and Lawes. If they top their Pool a date with either Australia or Wales awaits, a mouthwatering prospect. England deserve to be 9/2 and they hold serious claims.
Ireland
Coach: Joe Schmidt
Captain: Rory Best
2019 Rugby World Cup Odds: 10/1 (Coral, Unibet, Ladbrokes)
Joe Schmidt’s Ireland come into this World Cup as the top ranked team. However, those rankings are a joke and on their form in the past year they are barely top 3. Since winning the 6 Nations 2 years ago Ireland have been on a steep downward spiral. They come into the RWC after a poor 6 Nations Campaign and England hammered them in a record breaking 57-15 defeat in their 2nd warm up game. Ireland did bounce back with two wins vs Wales after that loss, but doubts remain about both players and manager.
Rory Best captains the side in his World Cup swansong, but his throw accuracy at lineouts is a big worry. The decision to leave dominant Devin Toner at home could come back to bite Schmidt if the lineout woes continue. The likes of Best, Kearney, Earls, Sexton and Murray have a lot of miles on the clock and one feels their best days are behind them. Their opening game with Scotland is huge and the result is far from a foregone conclusion. Another quarter final appearance could be as good as it gets for Ireland.
Wales
Coach: Warren Gatland
Captain: Alun Wyn Jones
2019 Rugby World Cup Odds: 12/1 (Boylesports)
The final main contender for the 2019 World Cup is Wales. Warren Gatland will be leaving his post after this World Cup and he will be sorely missed in the valleys. Whatever happens in Japan his legacy is secure and he will go down as one of their best ever coaches. The controversy surrounding Rob Howley is not ideal though as he was an integral part of the Welsh set up.
However, Wales have the quality in their squad to go far, if they produce their best. The likes of Leigh Halfpenny, Dan Biggar and George North are vastly experienced. Captain Alan Wyn Jones still operates at a high level, while Justin Tipuric is another top class performer. If they can beat Australia in the Pool and claim top spot, a semi final spot is a real possibility. At odds of 12/1 they rate as very interesting outsiders.
Rugby World Cup Tip: Back The Boks For Glory
While the bookies make New Zealand pretty warm favourites for the Rugby World Cup 2019, we think they are vulnerable. They have not impressed in recent months and the boots of McCaw and Carter have proved hard to fill. At the prices, we much prefer the chances of the South African Springboks.
They are the biggest, strongest and most powerful team in the tournament. That counts for a massive amount in modern rugby, where the team that hits hardest for longest often wins. They won’t fear New Zealand one bit and they come into the World Cup full of confidence and in sparkling form. At odds of 9/2, South Africa can give their backers plenty to shout about in Japan. England are the biggest dangers. Australia are overpriced and worth a little each way interest too at odds of 18/1.
