Halfpenny a better bet than Beale to avoid missing kick in Lions test
Published:Boots have played a pivotal part in the most memorable features of the Lions tour thus far, with Kurtly’s Beale’s slip in missing a penalty effectively costing Australia the first Test and Leigh Halfpenny’s accuracy significant in any Lions success thus far.
Halfpenny has kicked 28 penalties and conversions throughout the tour to date and missed just two, which is a phenomenal accuracy rate.
The Welsh full-back may have missed one of these efforts in the first Test in Brisbane, but this does not deter from the feeling that 2/1 that Halfpenny will have a 100 per cent kicking accuracy at goal in Melbourne is fine value.
In total, Halfpenny has contributed 78 points to the Lions tour and if they are to confirm series victory in the second Test, his points will be essential.
The one potential pitfall to this bet is the appointment of referee Craig Joubert, who does have a track record for being a bit quick to blow his whistle.
In the Six Nations earlier this year, Joubert officiated the clash between Scotland and Wales and gave a record 28 penalties.
Obviously, the fewer the number of penalties given and tries scored in Melbourne, the greater the possibility that Halfpenny will not miss with the boot.
Beale will be desperate to make amends for his misfortune in the dying moments of the first Test and has been picked at full-back, rather than taking the number 10 jersey that is more common at the Melbourne Rebels.
He is 5/2 to enjoy a 100 per cent kicking accuracy in the second Test, which is hard to get behind bearing in mind that he missed two in the opener, despite not playing the full 80 minutes.
Therefore, it could pay that for the second week running Beale misses the final kick of the match, which can be backed at 10/1.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
