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( votes)For most connoisseurs, the real business of the 2015 Rugby World Cup starts here. No more one-sided group stage contests as the big boys go head-to-head in what will surely be bruising and closely-fought contests. When games such as these are too close to call, visit Betadvisor.com for all your betting solutions offered to you from the best rugby tipsters on the planet.
Ireland V Argentina, Sunday 18/10/15 at 13.00 GMT
What was a mightily impressive performance in their 24-9 victory over France might yet turn out to be the undoing of Joe Schmidt’s Ireland. Injuries to star fly-half Jonny Sexton, legendary lock Paul O’Connell and inspirational back-rower Peter O’Mahony, as well as a potential suspension for another influential back-row presence in Sean O’Brien, for an alleged punch on France’s Pascal Pape,have left the Irish management with a queue at the treatment table and a headache away from it. A no-doubt bruising encounter against the Pumas in this quarter-final, if negotiated successfully, could leave an already depleted squad with an insurmountable mountain to climb in a semi-final against either Australia or Scotland. Yet beating Argentina is no formality. As well as physicality, the Pumas possess pace and guile in the shape of backs Juan Imhoff and Santiago Cordero, both with three tries apiece so far this World Cup, as well as the experience of Juan Martin Hernandez, Marcus Ayerza, and Juan Martin Fernandez Lobbe, none of them strangers to big games. As they proved in their narrow group stage loss to the All Blacks, this Argentine side are more than capable of replicating their third place finish in 2007.A full-strength Ireland would surely have been favourites, but their host of injuries leaves professional rugby tipsters in the best position to call this.
Game Betting 2-way (to win)
Ireland 1.44 V Argentina 2.75
New Zealand V France, Saturday 17/10/15 at 20.00 GMT
So, what next for the defeated French? A quarter-final against defending champions and favourites to claim their third Web Ellis trophy on Saturday 31st October at Twickenham. However, if there is one side that has had the sign over the fearsome All Blacks in the short but explosive history of the rugby World Cup, it is Les Bleus. Although their tournament history reads played four, won two apiece, closer scrutiny will reveal that in the two matches that mattered, it was the French who were able to avail. In one of the most famous contests in the history of the game, the 1999 semi-final, the French trailed 17-10 at half time, and then 24-10 only five minutes into the second half. What ensured was perhaps the greatest battering the All Blacks have ever received in their illustrious history. The French scored 33 consecutive points, including three tries, to run out eventual 43- 31 winners. Then, in the 2003 quarter-final, the French again came from behind to eliminate the red-hot favourite All- Blacks from the tournament. Revenge is certainly due, and with the French seemingly in disarray following their obliteration at the hands of the rampant Irish, the All Blacks, and free-scoring wing JulianSavea, must be fancying their chances. But then again, they also did in 1999 and 2007. Follow the best rugby tipsters to see if a French repeat is possible.
Game Betting 2-way (to win)
New Zealand 1.16 V France 5.00
South Africa V Wales, Saturday 17/10/15 at 16.00 GMT
It has been a roller-coaster journey for both of these nations even prior to the knock-out stages. The Springboks have been able to put the shock of their epic defeat by Japan behind them to romp home in Pool B. In wings Bryan Habana and JP Pietersen they have two of the form players of the tournament, with 9 tries between them and Habana having just equalled Jonah Lomu’s World Cup try scoring record (15). Wales may just feel lucky to be in the quarter finals after the twin blows of being consigned to the Group of Death and experiencing an injury crisis leading up to the tournament that would have broken a lesser team. However, Warren Gatland’s side have shown remarkable spirit in adversity to defeat England in their own back yard, thus helping to eliminate the host nation, and lose a close contest with Group winners Australia to claim second place in the pool and set up a quarter final against two-time winners South Africa. Having lost Leigh Halfpenny, Rhys Webb and Jonathan Davies before a ball was kicked in anger, their pool campaign has also accounted for both Liam and Scott Williams, meaning James Hook is in contention to start at centre. As mentioned previously, South Africa have recovered well from their opening game defeat and loss of captain Jean De Villiers with a broken jaw, and now look to possess the momentum which is always crucial to a successful campaign. This game looks like a close call, so the attention to detail provided by canny rugby tipsters is a must.
Game Betting 2-way (to win)
South Africa 1.28 V Wales 3.75
Australia V Scotland, Sunday 18/10/15 at 16.00 GMT
What perhaps looks the most one-sided contest on paper could prove anything but if Scotland replicate the form that has seen them win two of their last three meeting against the Wallabies. However, in order for them to do so, a turnaround in Group stage performance of epic proportions is required. Australia put in one of the performances of the tournament so far with their crushing defeat of hosts England, and backed it up with a hard-fought but ultimately successful game against the Welsh. And all done so with only one try conceded so far. Scotland, on the other hand, were taken down by a dominant South Africa and only cemented their place in the last eight after putting their game against a gritty Samoa to bed in the final minutes. Scotland are rightly rank outsiders to claim victory here, but they need look no further than Japan’s historic win over South Africa to see that anything is possible. What is for certain is that they will need a vast improvement on anything they have produced so far. Having tournament top points scorer Greg Laidlaw (60) on song will help, although Vern Cotter’s side will hope Australia number 10 Bernard Foley, who is third in the points scoring charts (56), doesn’t repeat his match winning effort against England in which he scored 28 of his side’s 33 points in a scintillating display. Yet the Aussies have danger men all over their back-line, and in back-rower David Pocock, the leading turnover specialist in the competitions (10). Top rugby tipsters will be using all their acumen to find an edge over the bookies for this encounter.
Game Betting 2-way (to win)
Australia 1.11 V Scotland 7.00
To win outright
New Zealand – 2.20 Australia – 3.50 South Africa – 7.00
Ireland – 9.00 France – 26.00 Argentina – 29.00
Wales – 34.00 Scotland – 126.00
All odds courtesy of Bet365 and correct as of 17.00 GMT on 13/10/15
By: Steven Paget