International Rugby League returns with the World Cup beginning on 15th October and taking centre stage. Plenty of hype surrounds this tournament as it appears to be one of the closest in recent instalments. It will be a welcomed return for this tournament as international rugby league undergoes a revival. England will be the hosts this year and Before You Bet will be with you every step of the way to add to your enjoyment by hopefully finding you a winner or two. Let’s look at what lies ahead in the tournament.
Rugby League World Cup Preview & Betting Tips
Group Betting
1st odds = group winner
2nd odds = tournament winner
Group A
England = $2.30 & $15
France = $151 & $251
Samoa = $1.62 & $11
Greece = $501 & $501
This is the toughest group at this year’s tournament. Samoa enters as favourites to win the group with notable NRL players such as Luai, Suaalii, Crichton & Papalii and opting to represent their heritage over Australia. As good as they can be, England are the hosts and will not want to give up a match on home soil. Whoever finishes second in this group will face Tonga in the Quarter Finals too, so the opening match of the competition (England vs Samoa) is very important to the prospects of each team.
England to win the group
$2.30 (1.5 Units)
Group B
Australia = $1.01 & $1.55
Scotland = $151 & $501
Fiji = $17 & $101
Italy = $151 & $501
It is surprising to see Australia even being offered a price to win this group. It is theirs to lose and that is highly unlikely to happen. They are overwhelming competition favourites (more on that later) so winning this group shouldn’t be difficult. Fiji is the next strongest team and should finish second. That will likely set up a Quarter Final match with New Zealand. No ‘Suggested Bet’ in this group as Australia are too short.
Group C
New Zealand = $1.01 & $3.75
Ireland = $15 & $251
Lebanon = $41 & $501
Jamaica = $151 & $1001
The Kiwi’s will win this group easily, but the most fascinating outcome will be which team is able to run second and progress through to the Quarter Finals, albeit, against Australia. Ireland is favoured to finish here but Lebanon are the preferred selection. The likes of Doueihi and Moses leading their attack make them a dangerous team and capable of progressing through to the next stage.
Lebanon to reach the Quarter Final
$2.75 (1 Unit)
Group D
Tonga = $1.05 & $13
Wales = $151 & $501
PNG = $9 & $251
Cook Islands = $34 & $501
Tonga are very short to win this group and even missing Taumalolo for the first few games should pose little issue. They are easily the strongest team, but PNG will look to play physical against them. Unfortunately, Wales and the Cook Islands are not strong enough to compete against these teams over 80 minutes and are just making up the numbers. No ‘Suggested Bet’ in this group as Tonga are too short.
Outright Markets
The odds offered on Australia to win this tournament are too short. They are the strongest team and the factor which separates them from most others in the tournament is the overall quality they possess in their spine (fullback, 5/8, halfback and hooker) and the replacement players coming off the bench. Nevertheless, taking the odds ($1.55) will be at your own peril. They must face New Zealand in the Semi Final to even have the opportunity to win the competition and that will be a difficult task. They could be similar odds in that contest so taking the short odds now isn’t wise. Despite it not being a ‘Suggested Bet’, Australia should win.
There is more value on the teams on the other side of the competition to win the tournament (Tonga, Samoa and England). Of those sides, England are the preferred selection. Samoa and Tonga are receiving far more respect than the hosts, but they are a tough defensive unit. A factor overlooked by most is that they are one team which should be well accustomed to the conditions which each team will face.
Other Bets:
Australia v England Final @ $3.60 – 2.5 units
Ronaldo Mulitalo leading try scorer @ $10 – 1 unit
England to win the tournament
$15 (0.5 Units)
There will be previews of the matches ahead of the first match of each round. Plenty of more selections to come in these matches. Even one-sided contests will offer value for the punters.
