Well here it is......the sports showpiece has finally arrived after a four year wait. It promises to be a great tournament, unless you are a Welshman, with arch rivals England amongst the favourites to win the competition outright.
Whatever the outcome, it will probably be the best World Cup to date, and hopefully will raise the profile of rugby all across the world.
Firstly, I am not a big prop man, so the bulk of my plays will commence when the tournament starts on Friday. However there are a few I cant resist, which I will begin with the most obvious...WHO WILL WIN???
I have spent months and a good many nights asking myself this question. I am desperately trying to come up with a different answer, but I keep going back to the same team......Yes as a hard core Welsh rugby person, I am tipping England to win the World Cup.
I have to admit I have been one of Englands biggest critics. Time and time again, they have been faced with crucial matches, which they have blown in spectacular fashion. However, how things are changed.....a demolition job of a very good Irish team to win the Six Nation was followed by a hiding of the All Blacks, and the Aussies in their own back yard. The facts are they are the best coached team in the world, and have been playing the best rugby for some time. Anybody who tries to convince you otherwise is not telling the truth. Any ill discipline by the opposition is punished by kicker Johnny Wilkinson, who would not be fazed by Jim Furyks streaker running on to the pitch. Such is his concentration levels, he hardly ever misses, and in the heat of a battle, this is worth everything. Neither the All Blacks or the Aussies can call upon a reliable kicker, and I feel this will cost them the World Cup in the latter rounds. John Mitchells decision to leave out ace Andrew Mehrtens may have repercussions around Kiwiland come November.
The reasoning could go on and on, but now is Englands time. If they fail this year away from the media frenzy of the English press, then will they ever win it?? People talk about if the World Cup was played at Twickenham, England would win hands down. The decision to hand Australia may turn out to be a master stroke from Englands point of view, as they will be under less pressure. Forget the heat factor, you are only looking for excuses for England not to win. These days teams are rugby professionals, on par with most athletes in the world, whatever your sport.
Thanks to a popular book on this site for providing us with hands down the best price. Having already bet England at slightly bigger odds in Europe earlier in the year, I was not expecting a quote remotely near what we are getting. Load up your offshore, and lump on the English. By the time you have collected your winnings, this Welshman, will be long gone, had emigrated under the frenzy and excitement of the English press.
4 Points England to win Rugby World Cup at 21/10 with Olympic
Now for the rest of us who bet with our heart. We have to have a Plan B...just in case England slip up again. Now I think England will meet the French in the semi-final, and we all know what the French are capable of.
I really think coach Bernard Laportes is amongst the shrewdest men out there. After a good couple of seasons, France have backed off in recent months. This could well be intentional, as nobody seems to be tipping up the French. However, rule them out if you dare. Who can forget what was possibly the greatest game of rugby to be played, when the French beat the All Blacks in that memorable game in the last World Cup. I cannot totally rule out that happening again, and thanks to this quote, it will cover a lot of the English losses should the French just get through to the final, and then who knows. :shrug: It is what it says on the tin......a Plan B, but one well worth having.
:brows:
1 Point E/W France to win Rugby World Cup at 12/1 with PaddyPower
Whatever the outcome, it will probably be the best World Cup to date, and hopefully will raise the profile of rugby all across the world.
Firstly, I am not a big prop man, so the bulk of my plays will commence when the tournament starts on Friday. However there are a few I cant resist, which I will begin with the most obvious...WHO WILL WIN???
I have spent months and a good many nights asking myself this question. I am desperately trying to come up with a different answer, but I keep going back to the same team......Yes as a hard core Welsh rugby person, I am tipping England to win the World Cup.
I have to admit I have been one of Englands biggest critics. Time and time again, they have been faced with crucial matches, which they have blown in spectacular fashion. However, how things are changed.....a demolition job of a very good Irish team to win the Six Nation was followed by a hiding of the All Blacks, and the Aussies in their own back yard. The facts are they are the best coached team in the world, and have been playing the best rugby for some time. Anybody who tries to convince you otherwise is not telling the truth. Any ill discipline by the opposition is punished by kicker Johnny Wilkinson, who would not be fazed by Jim Furyks streaker running on to the pitch. Such is his concentration levels, he hardly ever misses, and in the heat of a battle, this is worth everything. Neither the All Blacks or the Aussies can call upon a reliable kicker, and I feel this will cost them the World Cup in the latter rounds. John Mitchells decision to leave out ace Andrew Mehrtens may have repercussions around Kiwiland come November.
The reasoning could go on and on, but now is Englands time. If they fail this year away from the media frenzy of the English press, then will they ever win it?? People talk about if the World Cup was played at Twickenham, England would win hands down. The decision to hand Australia may turn out to be a master stroke from Englands point of view, as they will be under less pressure. Forget the heat factor, you are only looking for excuses for England not to win. These days teams are rugby professionals, on par with most athletes in the world, whatever your sport.
Thanks to a popular book on this site for providing us with hands down the best price. Having already bet England at slightly bigger odds in Europe earlier in the year, I was not expecting a quote remotely near what we are getting. Load up your offshore, and lump on the English. By the time you have collected your winnings, this Welshman, will be long gone, had emigrated under the frenzy and excitement of the English press.
4 Points England to win Rugby World Cup at 21/10 with Olympic
Now for the rest of us who bet with our heart. We have to have a Plan B...just in case England slip up again. Now I think England will meet the French in the semi-final, and we all know what the French are capable of.
I really think coach Bernard Laportes is amongst the shrewdest men out there. After a good couple of seasons, France have backed off in recent months. This could well be intentional, as nobody seems to be tipping up the French. However, rule them out if you dare. Who can forget what was possibly the greatest game of rugby to be played, when the French beat the All Blacks in that memorable game in the last World Cup. I cannot totally rule out that happening again, and thanks to this quote, it will cover a lot of the English losses should the French just get through to the final, and then who knows. :shrug: It is what it says on the tin......a Plan B, but one well worth having.
:brows:
1 Point E/W France to win Rugby World Cup at 12/1 with PaddyPower
