The U20 Rugby World Championship comes to an end in Cape Town on Friday and we take a look at the 6 matches from a betting angle.
Italy v Japan – Click here to bet
This is a crucial match as the loser gets relegated from the Championship to the Trophy so both teams will be desperate for victory.
Italy beat South Africa in the group stages, but lost to Argentina and Georgia and in the first playoff game they lost 41-26 to Fiji.
Japan were in a tough group with New Zealand, France and Wales and they lost all 3 of their matches before going down 45-20 to Argentina, a result which saw them favourites to be relegated.
Italy haven't been at their best with the possible exception of the Baby Bok win, but I think the Six Nations outfit will be too strong here.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Italy -15.5 at 17/20
Wales v Australia – Click here to bet
Wales and Australia play for 5th place after Australia proved too strong for New Zealand winning 44-35 in their playoff game. They started the match 6 point underdogs and did have the advantage that New Zealand were down to 14 men for most of the match.
Wales nearly beat New Zealand in their opening fixture and in their playoff match were pitted against Georgia who started 6 point favourites. Wales though were too strong winning 40-21 to earn the right to playoff.
Wales have punched above their weight in this competition, but Australia have impressed me and I think they can win this game comfortably.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, Australia -11.5 at 19/20
Fiji v Argentina – Click here to bet
Fiji were double digit underdogs against Italy last week, but they defied the bookmakers odds winning 41-26 to ensure they wouldn’t have to play in the relegation match. They had been in a tough group with Australia, England and Ireland and lost all 3 matches.
Argentina hammered a 14 man Italian side in their opening game before going down 20-0 to Georgia in wet conditions. They were leading the Baby Boks at half-time and looked likely to play in the playoff for the top 4 placings, but South Africa came back to win leaving Argentina to face Japan in the 9th to 12th place playoff. They were too strong for the Japanese winning 45-20.
Fiji have impressed me and I think this could be an upset win.
Suggested Bet: Fiji win at 22/10
South Africa v England – Click here to bet
South Africa beat Georgia and Argentina while losing to Italy in the group stages. They were then beaten 31-12 by Ireland in their semi-final and they failed to beat the handicap in this competition.
England had 2 draws in the group stages against Ireland and Australia and they hammered Fiji. They started brilliantly against France last week where they were 11 point underdogs and led 24-14 at the break before falling away to lose 52-31.
The money has come for England this week and I think it is spot on and I am backing them to beat the Baby Boks by 8 or more.
Suggested Bet: Handicap, England -7.5 at 19/20
Georgia v New Zealand – Click here to bet
Georgia went well against the Boks in their opener comfortably beating the handicap although losing the match. They then stunned Argentina and beat Italy leaving them to play for positions 5 to 8 and they were well backed against Wales last week, but fluffed their lines going down by 19 points.
New Zealand narrowly beat Wales 27-26 in their opener and they were then well beaten 35-14 by the French and they finished their campaign with a 62-19 victory over Japan. They were 6 point favourites against Australia in the 1st playoff game coming in the 5 to 8 category, but an early red card put paid to their chances and they went down by 9 points despite turning in what I thought was their best performance of the Tournament.
I think Georgia are creaking and are there for the taking and an improved New Zealand side can put them away. I like the -14.5, but for me the best bet is for New Zealand to score 39 points or more.
Suggested Bet: New Zealand totals over 38.5 at 9/10
Ireland v France – Click here to bet
Ireland drew against England before beating Australia and Fiji to book their spot in the Top 4. They were given a hard ride by South Africa early, but justified favouritism to win 31-12 in their semi-final.
France opened their campaign with a thumping 75-12 win over Japan and they then beat New Zealand by 21 and Wales by 24 points. They showed their class when trailing 17-0 to England in the last match before coming back to win 52-31.
This handicap opened -4.5, but money has come for the French and I think they are going to prove too strong for this Irish team who, while very talented don’t have the same number of professional players and like England are likely to be out muscled.
Suggested Bet: France -8.5 at 10/11
Note: All prices correct at the time of writing but are subject to change
