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PREVIEW: Women’s Rugby World Cup continues as teams battle for play-off spots

The opening round of the Women’s Rugby World Cup served up some cracking rugby, and there are one or two eye-catching games this week England v France set to be the headline event.

Women's World Cup - Rugby
EPA/ANDREW CORNAGA

The opening round of the Women’s Rugby World Cup served up some cracking rugby, and there are one or two eye-catching games this week England v France set to be the headline event.

Two women looking excitedly at cellphone

Saturday 15 October

Scotland 9/1 | Draw 33/1 | Australia 1/25

Handicap
Scotland (+20.5) 8/10 | Australia (-20.5) 9/10 

We kick things off with a clash between two sides that got their campaigns off to losing starts as Scotland face Australia.

The Wallaroos looked good value during the opening 20-minutes of their clash with tournament hosts New Zealand, with the Australians racing into a 17-0. New Zealand would eventually run through the gears to dash Australian hopes of a famous victory.

While that 41-17 defeat will have been disheartening for the Australians, they will be able to take plenty of positives from the fixture.

Scotland also suffered a heartbreaking defeat in Round 1 as they went down to Six Nations rivals Wales 18-15. The Scots were on for a share of the spoils until an extremely late 85th-minute penalty from the Welsh condemned Scotland to a losing bonus point.

If they can get the discipline side of their game in order, then the Australians should absolutely walk this one. I’ll be on the (-20.5) handicap at 9/10.

USA 1/20 | Draw 33/1 | Japan 8/1 (06:30)

Handicap
USA (-20.5) | Japan (+20.5)

Next up we’ve got the USA taking on Japan. Neither side got off to idea starts. However, the Americans would have been disappointed by their 22-10 defeat at the hands of Italy. 

The scoreline could have been far closer had the Americans been more clinical with ball in hand. They’ll now target a big win against a Japanese outfit who will likely end the tournament as Pool B’s cellar dwellers. 

Things were even worse for Japan who caught a hiding against Canada, with the North Americans scoring their first try 66 seconds into the encounter. Japan hit back four minutes later, but that was as good as it got for the Asians.

It was really the basics that let Japan down. Defensive issues around the ruck and a charged down kick accounted for a couple of tries. However, their inability to deal with the Canadian maul really hampered them. 

The USA played some good rugby at times in first round. If they can make more of the opportunities on offer this weekend, then they should have no problems taking this Japanese outfit to task. Get on the minus. 

France 6/1 | Draw 33/1 | England 1/12 (09:00)

Handicap
France (+15.5) 9/10 | England (-15.5) 9/10

The headline clash of Round 2 sees Six Nations champions England take on runners-up France.

Both sides got their campaigns off to flying starts with England hammering Fiji 19-84 and France beating South Africa 5-40.

Honestly, neither team had to get out of second gear for their wins this past weekend. The French midfield caused the South Africans all sorts of problems and this is an area that the English will need to be wary of.

England were the more clinical side last weekend as they made the most of their opportunities against the Fijians. Their rolling maul was a key weapon. They’ll look to employ it again to good effect here.

England look a cut above every other team at the tournament, and I reckon they’ll win this one. However, I expect a very handy French side to remain within the 15.5 handicap. Small punt on the plus for me. 

Sunday 16 October

Italy 7/2 | Draw 25/1 | Canada 1/5 (01:45)

Handicap
Italy (+10.5) 9/10 | Canada (-10.5) 8/10

We should have a cracking game on our hands next up as two sides who impressed in Round 1 of the tournament go head-to-head.

The Italians gave a great account of themselves against the States. They conceded an early try but bounced back just before half-time with a converted try which saw them head into the sheds two points to the good.

They then turned the screw in the second half with their rugged defence and strong forward pack guiding them to a 10-22 victory. Their backs stole the show, though. If they can be as incisive as they were against the USA, the Italians could give Canada a proper scare here. 

Like the Italians, the Canadians also put their strong forwards to good use as they attacked the fringes of the Japanese rucks to create several openings. It’s their maul that really did the damage against Japan. This is an area of the Canadian game that Italy must nullify if they are to stand a chance here. 

This game should be a slugfest with both sides having solid setpieces and powerful strike runners. I reckon the Canadians will just edge this one. With that in mind, get on the Italian to keep within the (+10.5) handicap. 

Wales 14/1 | Draw 40/1 | New Zealand 1/100 (04:15)

Handicap
Wales (+44.5) 17/20 | New Zealand (-44.5) 17/20

The penultimate game of the weekend is a northern-southern hemisphere affair with reigning World Champions and tournament hosts New Zealand taking on Six Nations also-rans Wales.

The tournament hosts looked to be heading for a disappointing start to their campaign as they were 17-0 down to trans-Tasman rivals Australia within the first opening quarter of the fixture.

Things started to click for the Kiwis who found their attacking groove while Australia’s discipline went to pot. They would eventually hammer their neighbours 17-41.

Wales also came up against a geographic neighbour in Scotland. They were pushed hard by the team from the North of the English border with a late penalty from Keira Bevan being the difference between the sides.

The hosts should have no trouble getting the win here. They are by far the superior side. I’ll be on the Kiwis to clear the (-44.5) handicap. 

Fiji 7/20 | Draw 25/1 | South Africa 22/10 (05:45)

Handicap
Fiji (-7.5) 17/20 | South Africa (+7.5) 17/20

Things come to a close with a clash between minnows South Africa and Fiji. Both sides got their World Cup campaigns off to losing starts with South Africa beaten 5-40 by a very strong French side, and the Fijians were hammered 19-84 by world number 1s, England.

The South Africans looked better in defeat than the Fijians as they managed to contain France for the majority of the first half, and although the floodgates opened, the South African women showed a lot of heart right up to the final whistle.

Fiji also had a couple of positives despite losing heavily as they managed to score three tries with their outside backs causing problems for the English out wide.

This should be a really interesting game with both sides still finding their feet on the international stage. My money is on the South Africans stealing a narrow win here. Take South Africa on the plus for a bit more safety. 

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