The Rugby World Cup can look like a bit of a maze but you just have to know where to look.
Across the first weekend, we tipped you into Jordan Petaia as an Anytime Tryscorer ($2.70) for the Wallabies, France’s first-up win over the All Blacks ($1.80) and got a flying headstart on All Black Mark Telea finishing as a Top 3 Tryscorer ($6) because of his two tries.
What’s in store in the second wave of matches?
Jim Tucker is back with his Rugby World Cup betting tips, with a close look at the Wallabies vs Fiji, and other tips from the weekend's action.
Australia vs Fiji Betting Tips
Saint Etienne, Monday, Sept 18th 1.45am (AEST)
The Wallabies should have the measure of Fiji although there will be moments of stress as every side feels against the masters of ad-lib rugby. The offloading and high-paced support lines to the Fijian running game are without peer when it clicks.
The essence of how the Wallabies must play to beat the Fijians really comes down to big defence and patience in attack. With Nic White selected at halfback, the Wallabies will definitely employ attacks down the blindside and kick for territory. Yes, it will be kick-heavy from the Australians...kick and pressure. That means kick deep into Fijian territory and harass errors from the islanders to force attacking chances off turnovers or take penalty goals.
It is a major blow to lose Taniela Tupou to injury because dictating at scrum time is much less likely. James Slipper will be a steady, experienced replacement at tighthead prop but he won’t destroy scrums like Tupou could have.
Having Nick Frost and Tom Hooper in the pack gives the Wallabies two excellent lineout targets to win ball there. The Fijians are much improved at lineout time and at the scrum which is part of the backbone to their recent improvement. They could always run but there’s a solid base to their play now as well.
The Wallabies still have to score points, 30 or more to win this. They just can’t be the dumbos who try a flick pass or a rushed 50-50 offload that becomes a seven-point gift to Fijian counter-attack. We’ll find out a lot about the composure (or not) of Eddie Jones’ young team in this match. Boring and efficient wins this, not being flamboyant.
Winger Mark Nawaqanitawase already has a try on the board and will be chasing more. Marika Koroibete will be also against his countrymen.
The Wallabies look to have lost their rolling maul as a weapon at 5m lineouts but that is always productive against Pacific islander sides.
The Fijians spent a lot of emotion in last weekend’s 32-26 loss to Wales. That was a virtual World Cup grand final for them and it showed in their body language at full-time. That’s why six changes to keep up the energy in the team is a smart move. Lose to the Wallabies and the World Cup is over for them just 10 days into the tournament.
There are plenty of Fijians to beware of like winger Semi Radradra, well known from his NRL days, dreadlocked centre Waisea Nayacalevu, a regular tryscorer, and backrower Lekima Tagitagavalu.
It’s crazy to see this value...Wallabies at $1.90 at –5.5 pts against Fiji. Winning 39-21 as they did at the 2019 tournament in Japan could well be close to the score again.
That $1.90 is good value, just as the $1.90 is for Total Score over 50.5 points.
Alternative Bet: Over 50.5 points - $1.90 @ betr
Again, Jordan Petaia at $3.50 for an Anytime Try is good value. Fijian flanker Lekima Tagitagivalu ($6) is a good option for an Anytime Try for Fiji.
For a double, Wallabies covering –5.5 pts and Ireland covering 35.5 points against Tonga is a solid bet at $3.51. Ireland has picked a strong side so you get that cohesion to score points. Always beware putting anything on a second-string line-up a la the French against Uruguay or the Welsh against Portugal.
Jordan Petaia Anytime Try Scorer
$3.50
Ireland v Tonga
Sunday, Sept 17, Nantes 5am (AEST)
Ireland has picked a top side to take no risks against the talented Tongans, who have the best squad they have ever assembled for a World Cup.
England v Japan
Monday, Sept 18 Nice 5am (AEST)
