Rugby World Cup Semi Finals Betting Preview 2019
We’re down to the final four in Japan. Either England or New Zealand will face one of Wales and South Africa in the 2019 Rugby World Cup final in a week’s time.
Before we can turn our attention to rugby union’s show-piece match, we have two excellent semi-finals in Yokohama in prospect. But where does the betting value lie with this weekend’s rugby betting?
England vs New Zealand Betting Preview
Eddie Jones’ plan ahead of the Rugby World Cup was for England to make steady steps forward during the pool phase before peaking when it really mattered in the knockout stages.
After making it out of Pool C without defeat but also without pulling up any trees, England were very, very good against Australia in the quarter-finals. They added some real flair to the sort of power game that saw them beat Argentina, Tonga and the USA without any real fuss.
Although England rugby fans want to see them play eye-catching, entertaining rugby, that is not the best way to approach a World Cup semi-final against New Zealand. England will need to concentrate on stopping the All Blacks as much as thinking of ways to score themselves.
Jones believes he has a plan. His team selection – which has seen the reinstatement of the George Ford/Owen Farrell partnership – adds creativity to the undoubted physical threat posed by England forwards.
If the England props can win their battle, they make the most of set-pieces and Farrell kicks well, they have a real chance of making a game of this. However, we’re not convinced that England’s best will be enough to see off a New Zealand side who thrashed Ireland 46-14 in the quarter-final.
The All Blacks have been the favourites to win the 2019 Rugby World Cup long before the tournament begun. Nothing they’ve done so far suggests they are undeserving of their status as favourites, and we think they’ll book their place in the final in a tight match. That suggests the enhanced odds of 6/1 that William Hill are quoting on New Zealand winning by 1-5 points is worth taking.
Wales vs South Africa Betting Preview
Wales, by the admission of their own head coach, were lucky to make it past France in their World Cup quarter-final. Warren Gatland said that the best team lost on the night and Wales would surely have been heading home were it not for a crazy elbow from Sebastien Vahaamahina.
Gatland was clearly not happy with the manner of Wales’ performance against France. It was certainly far from convincing and has led to the bookies pricing Wales up as the underdogs for their semi-final against South Africa.
The Springboks had a much better time of it in their quarter-final, dispatching World Cup hosts Japan with the minimal fuss. South Africa were many punters’ idea of the best value in the outright betting for the 2019 Rugby World Cup before it kicked off in Japan so there is no surprise to see them in the final four.
We do, however, think that there may be a surprise in Yokohama on Sunday.
Wales are a better side than their odds of 3/1 to win the match with Betway suggest. Yes, they were poor against France, but they may actually be able to use that to their benefit. There were times in their quarter-final that the Wales players must have thought they were going home. Use that as fuel for the fire, and they can achieve something special in the semi-final.
Wales also have a very strong recent record against South Africa with wins in their last four meetings. They will need to start well when Gatland has his best 15 players on the pitch before holding out later on, but we think they have what it takes to pull off a big win.
Betting Tips
New Zealand to beat England by 1-5 points at 6/1 with William Hill
Wales to beat South Africa at 3/1 with Betway
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