Darry Worthington thinks he's found some value in a couple of markets and gives us his four early value bets for the tournament.
To Win Pool C – Fiji @ 12/1
Okay, I need to be clear off the bat with some of these bets and state that a few of them have been taken due to the price being too high. We at least in my opinion. This one sticks out like a sore thumb as I think this Fijian side are flying very much under the radar at the moment.
The Fijians have benefited greatly from fielding a Super Rugby side in the form of the Drua. The Drua have two years of competitive footie against Kiwi and Australian opposition and this will help their national side greatly when they take on the faltering Wallabies in Pool C.
The Fijians are also in solid touch and looked a class apart during their Pacific Nations Cup title run which saw them register comfortable wins over Japan, Samoa and Tonga. And while Wales and Australia will prove stiffer opposition than their Pacific rivals, it must be remembered that Fiji have beaten Wales at a World Cup and have run far more experienced Australian sides close in previous clashes.
To Win Pool D – Argentina @ 18/10
This is my pick of the bunch. With England faltering, Argentina look a solid shout to top Pool D.
Los Pumas haven’t exactly set the world alight in 2023 but they were decent enough in the Rugby Championship beating Australia ‘down under’ and giving a decent account of themselves against reigning world champions South Arica, whom they lost 13-24 to in the final round of the Rugby Championship and then 22-21 to in a World Cup warm-up fixture.
With England looking like a side with no real game plan, Japan a shadow of their former selves and Samoa still evolving as a squad, this very experienced Argentine outfit have a great chance of topping this pool.
All Southern Hemisphere Final – Yes @ 14/10
We all know how lopsided these World Cup pools are with two of South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand or France guaranteed not to make the semi-finals due to the side of the draw they ended on.
Teams on the other side of the draw have a much easier run to the finals with England and Argentina likely to play quarter-finals against Australia, Wales or Fiji.
Should Argentina do what I expect and top Pool D and England finish in second that could leave England taking on Fiji or Australia in the quarters, with both sides more than capable of beating the English in my eyes.
We then look to the other side of the draw and it’s likely to be a straight shootout between South Africa, France, Ireland and New Zealand. should New Zealand and South Africa avoid each other in the quarters, they could well advance as France have been hit with a big injury withdrawal while Ireland have never advanced past the quarter-final phase of a World Cup.
Argentina To Reach The Final @ 9/1
We all know how lopsided these World Cup pools are with two of South Africa, Ireland, New Zealand or France guaranteed not to make the semi-finals due to the side of the draw they ended on.
Teams on the other side of the draw have a much easier run to the finals with England and Argentina likely to play quarter-finals against Australia, Wales or Fiji.
So this one is down to the South Americans being on the right side of the draw. and While they will face a stern test in the semi-finals, it’s play-offs rugby. The pressure will be on and anything could happen.
At 9/1, I’m willing to back the South Americans, although it will be for small stakes.
