There has been some significant moves in the Rugby World Cup markets over the last few weeks. New Zealand’s prices have moved between 12/10 and 16/10 and they are currently sitting around the 13/10 mark after an impressive Bledisloe Cup showing last time out.

South Africa who were available at double figures a few months ago are now 9/2 second favourites alongside England who have been fairly stable in the betting and are coming off giving Ireland a big hiding in a warm-up game.

Wales currently ranked No.1 in the World are 9/1 and Ireland who in November last year were as short as 33/10 second favourites have drifted right out to 10/1 after an unconvincing Six Nations and warm-up run.

Australia are 14/1 and France who have impressed many in their warm-up games are 35/1 to win the Rugby World Cup.

I have long been the advocate that this World Cup will be won by a Northern Hemisphere team, but the Bookies disagree and there is 5/10 that a Southern Hemisphere team will win and 15/10 that the Trophy will go to the North.

An interesting market is which teams will make the Final and here the current favourite is New Zealand against South Africa at just over 3/1. These sides of course meet in the Group Stages and Bookmakers are giving them a solid chance of meeting twice in the Tournament.

Personally, I think England are going to be the team to beat in this World Cup and an England v South Africa Final is 12/1. The bet I still fancy though is England against the Republic of Ireland at 14/1 and that despite Ireland’s apparent lack of form. I can’t believe that a side who was performing so well 12 months ago has become a poor team and I think that the Irish coach has something up his sleeve.

It is strange for me not to be financially involved at this point in a World Cup year, but I just haven’t had the funds to tie up and as the countdown to kick off continues I will be looking to free up some cash to fire at the Bookmakers.

Other markets which will look at over the coming weeks include a Top Point Scorer, a Top Try Scorer which are always interesting to analyze and offer an interest over the whole event.

Twitter: @BrentGraham

This article was written for the CitiGaming supplement of the Citizen Newspaper and was published on the 29 August 2019.

Brent Graham is a blogger on www.goodforthegame.co.za and sends a free weekly e-mail list just CLICK HERE to register