Rugby World Cup Group Betting

Going into the final group games, only New Zealand are definitely through to the quarter-finals. With qualification, as well as group winners to be decided, there is everything to play for. We look at the various permutations and what the bookmakers think will happen.

Pool A

New Zealand have qualified as group winners and France will join them in the quarter finals if they get at least a losing bonus point against Tonga. They are 1/50 (Bet365) to win their final game and near certainties to take the runners-up spot in pool A.

Pool B

Any two from England 1/200 (Stan James), Argentina 1/25 (Coral) and Scotland 10/1 (Stan James) can still qualify. Scotland need to beat England by eight points to virtually guarantee a quarter final spot, otherwise what happens in the Argentina game comes into the equation. Scotland are 11/2 (Sportingbet) to win and 14/1 (Totesport) to win by 6-10 points.

Pool C

Realistically Australia just need to beat Russia to reach the quarter finals, at 1/750  (Skybet) they are as short as they can be in the betting. Despite their famous win over the Wallabies, Ireland are still in danger of failure. Defeat against Italy in their final game would be enough to send them home. Italy are 13/2 (Sportingbet) to cause an upset.

Pool D

South Africa need to avoid a heavy defeat against Samoa to reach the quarter-finals. A Samoan victory might still not be enough for the Pacific Islanders but they are 12/1 (Sportingbet) to win on Friday morning. At 1/10 (Skybet) a win against Fiji should be enough for Wales to qualify, but if Samoa lose heavily against South Africa, even defeat would see them through to the quarters.