We take a look at the third round of the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
The second round of the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2017 went according to script with the favourites all winning their games. My 1/10 straight win quad also came in, so it was a decent enough start for yours truly. The round 3 action will be a lot more unpredictable, however, as some of the tournament’s big guns will go toe-to-toe out in Ireland.
To Win (80 Mins)
Canada 6/1 | Draw 30/1 | New Zealand 1/11
Canada v New Zealand | Thursday 17 August | Billings Park | 13:00
Canada and New Zealand will get Thursday’s action underway at Billings Park, and with neither side experiencing a defeat as of yet, this game could have a huge bearing on the make-up of the semi-finals.
Canada followed up their 98-0 win over Hong Kong with a 15-0 win over Wales. The Canuck ladies are yet to concede a point in the tournament but will need to be defensively sound if they are to keep the New Zealand ladies from running rampant as the women from ‘The Land of The Long White Cloud’ have been sensational with ball in hand scoring a mammoth 121 points against Hong Kong in their last outing.
Verdict: New Zealand 1/11
The Silver Ferns really hit their straps against Hong Kong and I can see them beating the Canadian ladies by at least 15 points here.
To Win (80 Mins)
England 1/50 | Draw 75/1 | USA 9/1
England v USA | Thursday 17 August | Billings Park | 13:30
The English Ladies maintained their unbeaten start to their World Cup campaign by beating Italy 56-13 in the second round. The USA ladies also managed a big win in round 2 as they ran out 43-0 victors over the Spanish. The scoreline could have been greater had USA kicker Alev Kelter hadn’t been so wayward with the boot.
Verdict: England 1/50
The English ladies have been a class act this year and I can see them making it three from three this Thursday. My money is on them taking it by between 10 and 15 points.
To Win (80 Mins)
Italy 2/11 | Draw 25/1 | Spain 4/1
Italy v Spain | Thursday 17 August | UCD Bowl | 15:45
Italy and Spain will be looking to claim their first win of the tournament when the two sides lock horns at the UCD Bowl. The Italians went down 24-12 to the USA in their opener and were hammered 56-13 by the English in their second fixture. The Spanish also let the English put a half century past them in the opening week, going down 56-5 in round 1. They followed that loss up with a 43-0 defeat to the USA.
Verdict: Italy 2/11
The Spanish have rather poor this tournament, struggling to score points while shipping a plethora. And while Italy hasn’t exactly shone, they have managed to at least get into double figures in their opening two games. My money is on the Italians taking it but 15 or more.
To Win (80 Mins)
Australia 1/8 | Draw 28/1 | Japan 52/10
Australia v Japan | Thursday 19 August | Billings Park | 18:00
The Wallaroos will be looking to claim their first win of the campaign when they take on Japan at Billings Park. The Australian ladies come into this one off the back of a heavy defeat to France, while they lost their opening game to Ireland by just two points. The Japanese come into round 3 off the back of a solid showing against the Irish as they went down by just 10 points.
Verdict: Australia 1/8
This will be a tight affair but I see the Wallaroos edging it by between 5 and 10 points.
To Win (80 Mins)
France 1/8 | Draw 30/1 | Ireland 52/10
France v Ireland | Thursday 19 August | UCD Bowl | 19:45
Our final fixture sees tournament hosts Ireland take on the all-conquering French. The French ladies have been mightily impressive thus far, scoring huge wins over Japan and Australia. Ireland have been a more plucky sort of unit. They fought hard for a two point victory over Australia in the opening round of the tournament, while the last round saw them huff and puff their way to a 10 point victory over Japan.
Verdict: France 1/10
The French should have no trouble putting a mammoth score of the hosts, such is the all-mighty form they are in. My money is on the French winning by 40 or more.
Written by Darry Worthington for @Hollywoodbets.net
