19th Sep 2011 | Rugby
Rugby World Cup Latest
Ireland produced the first shock of the tournament with victory over Australia. The ramifications for the quarter-finals prompted a shake up in the betting.
Ireland’s win over Australia opened up the bottom half of the draw and condemned the Wallabies to a probable quarter-final encounter with South Africa. If the remaining matches go to form then the quarter-final line-up could be as follows:
QF1: Ireland v Wales
QF2: England v France
QF3: South Africa v Australia
QF4: New Zealand v Arg/Sco
Paddy Power offer odds of 1/8 that two teams from the Six Nations reach the semi-finals. That would be a certainty if the draw evolved as predicted. The final could be a battle of the hemispheres, with north versus south.
Ireland are best price 22/1 (Sportingbet) to win the world cup having been 50/1 before the weekend’s round of matches. Wales also recorded a good win against Samoa in what was billed as a match for the runners-up spot. A position that now looks favourable in light of Australia’s defeat. Warren Gatland’s team are 33/1 (Sportingbet) to win the world cup, in from 66/1.
England laboured to victory over a spirited Georgia side, but in a week dwarfed by events off the field, the Six Nations’ champions remain 12/1 (Stan James) third favourites.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 10:48 19th Sep, 2011 but subject to change
