The Women’s Rugby World Cup action continues this coming weekend with the final set of round-robin fixtures getting underway on Saturday as the race for the quarters heats up.
We almost had a couple of major upsets in Round 2 with France running England close and Scotland giving the much-fancied Australians a massive scare.
Saturday 22 October
Australia 2/9 | Draw 25/1 | Wales 3/1 (03:15)
Handicap
Australia (-9.5) 17/20 | Wales (+9.5) 17/20
First up we’ve got a straight shootout for the runners-up berth in Pool A with second-placed Australia taking on third-placed Wales. Both sides are currently level on pool points with Australia holding the positional advantage due to points differential.
Both sides managed tough wins over Scotland and both lost heavily to New Zealand with the Wallaroos going down 17-41 to their trans-Tasman rivals while Wales were beaten 12-56.
A late penalty handed Wales an 18-15 win over their Six Nations rivals, while the Australians survived two late red cars to cling onto a 14-12 win over the Scots.
We have seen glimpses of this Australian side’s potential but they’re yet to put in a full 80-minute shift. I reckon they’ll finally get it right this weekend and take this one at a canter. Get on the (-9.5) handicap at 17/20.
New Zealand N/A | Draw 40/1 | Scotland 20/1 (05:45)
Handicap
New Zealand (-47.5) 17/20 | Scotland (+47.5) 17/20
Tournament hosts New Zealand will round out their pool phase campaign against a Scottish outfit that have been desperately unlucky to have not won a game yet.
Apart from a poor opening 20-minutes in during their first fixture against the Australians, the Kiwis have been an unstoppable force coming back to beat Australia 17-41 and then backing that win up with another bonus point victory as they thrashed Wales 12-56.
Scotland may not have won a game but they have been a force to be reckoned with, running Wales and Australia extremely close. This game could well be a bridge too far for them as the New Zealanders are just so lethal with ball in hand.
The Kiwis are red hot at the minute. It’s a big handicap, but I reckon they can clear (-47.5) at 17/20.
France N/A | Draw 40/1 | Fiji 16/1 (08:15)
Handicap
France (-35.5) 17/20 | Fiji (+35.5) 17/20
France will be looking to take the full five-point haul when they take on a Fiji side that will be full of confidence after they registered their first win at the tournament last weekend.
The French gave a brilliant account of themselves in Round 2 as they narrowly went down to an English side that has been dominating world rugby for the last two years. Les Bleus were dogged on defence during the encounter riding wave after wave of English attack. While they would ultimately lose the fixture 7-13, they will take a load of confidence from their display.
Round 2 had a happier end for the Fijians as they beat fellow minnows South Africa 21-17. The game was a hotly contested one with the South Africans having looked like they had secured victory with a 78th-minute penalty only for Fiji to score almost directly off the kick-off.
The French should have no trouble hammering the Fijians here. I fully expect the French to romp home to clear the (-35.5) handicap.
Sunday 23 October
Japan 6/1 | Draw33/1 | Italy 1/12 (01:45)
Handicap
Japan (+17.5) 17/20 | Italy (-17.5) 17/20
Sunday’s opener will see Japan take on Italy at the Waitakere Stadium. The Italians are gunning for the runners-up spot in Pool B which will see them advance to the quarter-finals, while Japan have only pride to play for here.
The Japanese have been a lot stronger than many thought they would be. They gave a good account of themselves in Round 1 going down 30-17 to a decent United States side. They did not wither last weekend either as they went down 12-22 to a very strong Canadian outfit.
Italy have also been good value at the tournament with their solid forward pack and strike runners causing opposition sides all sorts of problems. Their lethal backs were at the heart of their 12-22 opening-round win over the States, while their forward pack put n a brave display during last weekend’s 12-22 defeat to Canada.
I think the Italian forwards will cause the Japanese all sorts of issues which is why I’m backing them to clear the handicap here.
Canada 2/13 | Draw 28/1 | USA 4/1 (04:15)
Handicap
Canada (-12.5) 17/20 | USA (+12.5) 17/20
The penultimate game of the weekend should be an absolute cracker with a battle between neighbours the United States and Canada. This one has a bit of extra spice to it as well as Canada have become arguably the better side in recent years, which is a hard pill to swallow for the Americans who used to be a big name on the women’s rugby scene.
Canada have enjoyed a great start to their pool campaign and will likely top Pool B even if they lose to the States this weekend. They have already secured two bonus point wins beating Japan 5-41 and Italy 12-22. I reckon they also have a couple more gears to go through as well which will be worrying for the States.
The Americans have been less impressive than their opponents for Saturday going down 10-22 to Italy in Round 1. They looked better last weekend but still looked defensively vulnerable as they beat minnows Japan 30-17.
Yup, we’re on another minus! There is a big gap growing between these sides and I reckon the Canadians will emphasize just how big that gulf is by registering a big win this Sunday.
England N/A | Draw 40/1 | South Africa 20/1 (05:45)
Handicap
England (-60.5) 17/20 | South Africa (+60.5) 17/20
We bring things to a close with a true ‘David versus Goliath’ clash as the world’s number one ranked side, England, take on winless minnows South Africa.
The English were given a real run for their money last weekend by a determined French outfit. The Roses managed to claim a 7-13 win but they’ll be rather worried about their attack which was stifled by the excellent French defence.
While England bagged a win in Round 2, South Africa suffered a heartbreaking loss as they went down 21-17 to Fijian courtesy of a last-minute try from the Fijians.
South Africa are in for a long old Sunday. The English are the far superior side and should clear this handicap if anywhere near their best.
