20-08-2007 Rugby World Cup Betting - Teams to Watch

60% Better Rugby World Cup Betting Odds

Though twice reaching the final and producing some of the most exhilarating rugby the competition has ever witnessed, France have never maintained the level of performance needed to win the World Cup. Les Bleus will certainly be helped by home advantage, and have landed back-to-back Six Nations titles, but recent encounters against tournament favourites, New Zealand do not bode well. The heavy defeats on tour in June down under can be disregarded as they effectively sent a B team, but the All Blacks twice won on French soil in November 2006, including a record 47-3 thrashing.

It is essential the French win Pool D - the Group of Death - to avoid facing New Zealand in the Quarter Finals, who are almost certain to be the winners of Group C. However that is no certainty with Ireland and Argentina equally keen to avoid the Kiwis, and France’s outright price at PinnacleSports.com of 10.07, reflects this. Their preparations have not been helped by the news that first choice number 8, Elvis Vermeulen, is out of France’s World Cup squad after a scan revealed a slipped disc which will need surgery.

South Africa - Mighty Springboks a Danger to All

South Africa, unbeaten prior to the Tri-Nations in June, will be big and bold as they attempt to power their way to victory through forward dominance. The Springbok pack is the biggest, strongest and fiercest in recent history, helping them to victory over New Zealand in September 2006. The Boks are a 8.04 chance with PinnacleSports.com, and likely winners of Group A, at England’s expense.

Australia - Wallabies Still in Rebuilding Phase

Two-time champions, Australia, have been going through the painstaking process of rebuilding their side after coach, Eddie Jones, was sacked in December 2005 for presiding over the worst losing streak in 36 years. His successor, John Connolly, has produced improvements by blooding new talents such as scrum half, Matt Giteau, now regarded as one of the best players in world rugby. The Wallabies are still regarded as unlikely winners, priced at 11.330 with PinnacleSports.com, but did record a shock win over New Zealand on home soil in this year’s Tri-Nations Series.

Ireland – Fighting Irish Looking for Improved World Cup Showing

Ireland will be pushing the French close in the Group of Death, aiming to steer clear of a potential quarter-final against the All Blacks. The Irish rose to no.3 in the IRB World Rankings in November 2006, their highest ever position, following a hat-trick of victories in the last three games at the Old Landsdowne Road, against experimental Australian and South African sides. They also closed out a second consecutive Triple Crown, and only lost out on the Six Nations title to France, against whom they suffered their only defeat, by virtue of points difference. Having never made it beyond the quarter-final stages, PinnacleSports.com price up Ireland’s chances of winning at 22.86, a reflection of their poor record at World Cup level, and they will be handicapped by the absence of Brian O’Driscoll in the early rounds after suffering a fractured sinus in a World Cup warm-up.

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