RWC Semi Final Tips and Preview
RWC Semi Final Tips and Preview
It was slim pickings again for us in the RWC Quarter Finals. Australia were very poor late on and never looked like covering the +8 handicap. We at least called the New Zealand v Ireland result right, but the margin was bigger than we needed. South Africa strangled Japan who never threatened the try line. France were electric early on against Wales and our anytime try scorer selection Fickou was one pass away from a try. A red card cost the French dearly though and Wales made it through. Check out our RWC Semi Final tips and preview below…
RWC Semi Final Tips Saturday: 09.00 – England vs New Zealand
Line Ups
England: E Daly; A Watson, O Farrell (C), M Tuilagi, J May; G Ford; B Youngs; M Vunipola, J George, K Sinckler, M Itoje, C Lawes, T Curry, S Underhill, B Vunipola.
New Zealand: B Barrett; S Reece, J Goodhue, A Lienert-Brown, G Bridge; R Mo’unga, A Smith; J Moody, C Taylor, N Laulala; B Retallick, S Whitelock; S Barrett; A Savea, K Read (C).
Preview
This could easily be the final as New Zealand and England are two truly world class outfits. New Zealand blew a brittle Irish side away in the quarters, though Ireland made them look good. The All Blacks were clinical and punished Ireland for every mistake they made (which were many). Beauden Barrett was sensational at full back and his searing pace will worry England. Kieran Read produced a virtuoso display vs Ireland, but England will be a different proposition.
England may not have produced their brilliant best yet in Japan, but they were far too good for Australia. Eddie Jones will have a plan in place to upset the All Blacks, it all depends on whether his players will be up to implementing it. Ford returns at out half, with Slade dropped and Farrell moving to centre. The likes of Itoje, Lawes and the Vunipolas will ensure that New Zealand don’t have it all their own way up front.
We think England will really put it up to the All Blacks and many of their players will be keen to exorcise their bitter memories of their early exit at the last World Cup. New Zealand are 2/5 to win this and that is too short. England are a proper team and Eddie Jones may have them peaking at the right time. From a punting perspective, they definitely represent the value at 13/5 with Betfred.
RWC Semi Final Tips: England to win @ 13/5 Betfred
Sunday 09.00 am: Wales v South Africa
Line Ups
Wales: Halfpenny; North, J Davies, Parkes, Adams; Biggar, G Davies; Wyn Jones, Owens, Francis, Ball, Alun Wyn Jones (C), Wainwright, Moriarty, Tipuric.
South Africa: Le Roux; Nkosi, Am, De Allende, Mapimpi; Pollard, De Klerk; Mtawarira, Mbonambi, Malherbe, Etzebeth, De Jager, Kolisi (C), Du Toit, Vermeulen.
Preview
Since their opening defeat to New Zealand, The Springboks have barely put a foot wrong. They dispatched Japan with a power packed display last time. Some of the hits that went in were massive and Wales will be in for more of the same on Sunday. Wales were dealt a massive blow with the news that Liam Williams can’t play. However, Halfpenny is not a bad replacement and he has bags of experience. Moriarty replaces the injured Navidi in the back row.
Wales have one of the best defences in World Rugby so this may not be a pretty affair. South Africa hardly play an expansive style either and this is a war that will be won in the trenches. Heavy rain is forecast too so that will make it an even more brutal affair. That will play into the hands of the ultra-physical South Africans.
However, one area where Wales might hold an advantage is in the kicking game. Both Biggar and Halfpenny have laser like accuracy, both from dead balls and in open play. They could pin South Africa back and if Wales get a territorial advantage they could easily win this game. We already advised South Africa outright at 9/2 (see here), so at 3/1 it makes sense to have a bet on Wales.
