Check out our rugby scribes best bets for our Stage of Elimination markets which you can find on the Hollywoodbets website and mobisite.
There are under 50 days left until the Rugby World Cup kicks-off in Japan and we’ve got you covered with a whole host of exotic markets for you to bet on.
Our rugby scribe takes a look at the Stage of Elimination Markets, below
Japan
Stage of Elimination Tip – Quarter-Finals 3/1
This bet represents great value with the Japanese playing some excellent rugby at present and also having home-field advantage.
While the hosts do find themselves in a tough pool which features Tier 1 sides Ireland and Scotland, they could well sneak into the quarter-finals at the Scots’ expense. They became the first team to win three games and miss out on World Cup quarter-finals qualification back in 2015 with, in a touch of irony, Scotland advancing ahead of the.
Things could be different this time around and a quarter-final exit would be a massive coup for Jamie Joseph’s men.
Australia
Stage of Elimination Tip – Quarter-Finals 8/10
The Australians are really struggling ahead of the World Cup and while they should claim a quarter-final berth they are unlikely to claim top spot in the pool as that accolade will most probably go to a solid Welsh side.
If that scenario does play out then the Aussie may well find themselves facing one of England, France or Argentina in the quarter-finals. And while I think they’d have a sniff against the French, I can’t see them beating England or Argentina.
Fiji
Stage of Elimination Tip – Pool Stage – 1/25
There’s not much value here as the Fijians are very short for a likely pool phase elimination, I can’t see them going any further in the tournament as they would have to beat one of Wales or Australia. And while they are capable of giving these teams a run for their money, they’re also capable of getting hammered by them both.
France
Stage of Elimination Tip – Pool Phase @ 15/10
I quite fancy this one. France are a very unbalanced side and it showed during the Six Nations. They’ve also left some of their more experienced players out of their World Cup squad which is a recipe for disaster.
France would have to beat one of Argentina or England to go to reach the quarters. The Argentines, despite not excelling in the Rugby Championship, should have their number like they did in 2007, while the English know how to beat the French.
Argentina
Stage of Elimination Tip – Semi-Finals @ 11/2
I’m personally not having a punt on this one as I have already had a go on the Argentina to Finish Third market which is currently trading at 22/1.
Argentina actually have a shot at winning this pool and taking the high road into the quarter-finals as the better-seeded side. They have already beaten the French at a World Cup, and while the English are a calculated side they may well struggle to contain the Argentine backs if the South Americans find their groove early in the piece.
Should Argentina top the pool they would likely play Australia in the quarter-finals. They have a handy home record against Australia and beat Michael Cheika’s men in Brisbane last year.
Even if the Argentines do finish second and are forced to take on the Welsh it wouldn’t be the end of the world as they would still have a shout of beating Warren Gatland’s side.
New Zealand
Stage of Elimination Tip – Runner-Up 4/1
They’re likely to win it but there’s still too much value to pass up on punting New Zealand to finish as runners-up.
They have been drawn in a reasonable pool with South Africa the only side that really posses a threat. Should they top their pool then New Zealand would have a very kind run to the final which would likely pit them against Scotland or possibly Japan in the quarters.
While the Kiwis should make short work of their quarter-final and semi-final opponents, they could face a real challenge in the final as either South Africa or Ireland could be slugging it out with them for the Webb Ellis Cup.
South Africa
Stage of Elimination Tip – Winners 6/1
Perhaps I’m being slightly too patriotic here but I really do fancy Rassie Erasmus’ men to claim their third World Cup title.
The ‘Boks seem to be peaking at just the right time having started their Rugby Championship campaign with an impressive win against Australia and then backing it up with a 16-16 draw with New Zealand.
A win over the All Blacks in their pool stage opener would see them take the high rod to the final while a loss would likely force them to play Ireland in the quarters. It’s not the end of the world though as the Irish have a very poor World Cup record.
Scotland
Stage of Elimination Tip – Pool Stage @4/1
The ‘Scots are a great side on their day but if they have an off day they can be horrific. While they are heavy favourites to claim one of the play-off berths from Pool A, they would have to beat Japan to do this. As I mentioned alluded to earlier, I fancy the Japanese to get revenge for 2015. As such, I’ll be having a small crack on Scotland to get eliminated at the pool stage.
Ireland
Stage of Elimination Tip – Quarter-Finals @ 9/10
South Africa’s poor form during the seedings for the World Cup has well and truly hindered Ireland’s World Cup. Joe Schmidt’s men will have a quarter-final date with either South Africa or New Zealand. And while they have handy recent records against these two sides, I just can’t see them beating either at a World Cup.
England
Stage of Elimination Tip – Semi-Finals @ 2/1
Eddie Jones may be one of the smartest men in rugby but he’s going to have to pull a rabbit out of the hat if he is to get his side to the World Cup final.
While the English should top their group, they have a tough run in from there with Australia likely to be the team they face off against in the quarters. They may well beat Michale Chieka’s side but then they would have to face South Africa or New Zealand in the semi-finals. And that’s where I think the tournament will end for the English.
Wales
Stage of Elimination – Quater-Finals @ 11/10
This bet really hinges on how good Argentina are. Should the South Americans do the unthinkable and lose to France then Wales will walk to the semi-finals. However, if Mario Ledesma’s men produce the good then the in-form Dragons could be in trouble as they would likely take on the Argentines in the quarters.
And as good a the Welsh have been over the past two years, I think they may well struggle against an Argentina outfit who have a dominant set of loose forwards.
Written by Darry Worthington for Hollywoodbets
