The seventh Rugby World Cup is just a few weeks away and spread betting punters will be preparing themselves for plenty of early starts for some thrilling rugby action.
Spread punters may have seen that New Zealand were piped to the post in the Tri Nations by Australia, but the hosts remain 85-87 outright spread favourites (100pts winner, 80pts – Runner-Up, 60pts – Third, 50pts – Fourth etc).
Buyers of the All Blacks’ outright index will argue that coach Graham Henry rested key players for their defeat in South Africa a fortnight ago – including fly-half Dan Carter. Having won the inaugural World Cup in 1987, New Zealand have failed to live up to their reputation on the greatest stage and spread sellers of the outright index will be pleased to hear they have only reached the final on one other occasion - back in 1995.
Newly-crowned Tri-Nations champions, Australia, will head to New Zealand in fine spirits after a 25-20 victory in their final match. Spread bettors will be pleased to find that the Wallabies have won the competition in 1991 and 1999, while they finished runners-up in the 2003 tournament. Spread sellers of the Australian outright index may have seen that the side did concede 79 points during the Tri-Nations, with a points difference of +13.
Rugby spread betting buyers of South Africa’s outright index will be hoping the decision to rest a number of their starting XV for the Tri-Nations will pay off in New Zealand. Peter de Villiers was able to call upon his key players in the Springbok’s 18-5 win over the All Blacks, which will cause concern to those looking to sell their outright index. Sellers of South Africa’s outright index will also be aware that the side are the current world champions having beaten England 15-6 four years ago in France.
Martin Johnson’s men signed off their preparations with a solid 9-20 victory over Ireland which will offer hope to England’s spread supporters that they can claim their second title. Further encouragement for buyers of England’s outright index is that the side have reached the final in the past two competitions, while they also came second in the 1991 final against Australia.
England also showed they have what it takes to win the major tournaments after they claimed the Six Nations in March, which will put some doubt into those spread bettors looking to sell their outright index.
France will also offer hope for their spread supporters after beating Ireland twice in their final two warm-up matches before the world cup. Marc Lièvremont’s France narrowly lost out to England in the Six Nations when finishing two points behind. Spread sellers of their outright index might argue that the French have not reached the final since 1999.
Spread punters will be interested to hear that the 2007 final didn’t produce a single try, but the 2003 final saw two trys in the match. Any spread enthusiasts looking at the total points market for the final will be intrigued to hear that the highest total in a final came in 1987 when New Zealand beat France 29-19, while the lowest was Australia’s 12-6 win over England in 1991.
Sun Life Direct and the Bobby Moore Fund
More than 100 people are diagnosed with bowel cancer every day. And nine out of ten of them are over 50.Sun Life Direct is committed to doing everything possible to look after the interests of those who are over 50. Which is why we’re fully supporting the Bobby Moore Fund.
The Dying Matters Coalition Says Put Your House in Order as Sun Life Direct Survey Shows
Half of UK adults have not made any financial provision for their deaths or even discussed their wishes with loved ones – leaving behind sizeable funeral expenses for relatives to cope with, according to figures released by the Dying Matters Coalition and Sun Life Direct. 60% of adults have not made a will including 25% of the over 65si. 82% of people do not have a pre-paid funeral plan and 46% have not made any financial provision for their own death.
