Rugby World Cup: Patched together Wales will still sail past Fiji
Published:
Wales can take another giant stride towards the World Cup quarter finals should they defeat Fiji and despite their injury woes, there is enough collective will and quality to do so comfortably in Cardiff.
Warren Gatland’s squad resemble the walking wounded heading into their third match of the tournament with a disproportionately large injury list to contend with.
The casualties were mounting up even before the finals began, but following two bruising battles to start the competition, the last of which was a hit-fest against England, two more men have been lost to the Welsh cause for the duration of the tournament.
Centre Scott Williams and wing Hallam Amos have been ruled out through injury, while one of the stars from their famous 28-25 Twickenham victory over the English, fullback Liam Williams, misses the Fiji clash because of concussion.
Tyler Morgan comes in at centre, while Matthew Morgan replaces Williams at 15 and Alex Cuthbert is restored to the line up in place of the unfortunate Amos.
Despite yet more enforced changes, Gatland’s men, who are only kept off top spot in Pool A by points difference from Australia, won’t waver in their 1/7-rated quest for victory.
British and Irish Lions player Cuthbert brings a wealth of experience back into the side, and if Dan Biggar finds his range early against the Pacific Island side, then it really should be plain sailing in front of a partisan Millennium Stadium crowd.
Fiji have shown flashes of flair in their opening games but have still lost 35-11 and 28-13 to England and Australia respectively.
Therefore, Wales clearing a 15-point handicap at 1/1 looks a value bet, but Ladbrokes special price boost on the win by 25 points or more from 11/4 out to 4/1 has genuine appeal.
All Ladbrokes promos on the game are below:
George North and Alex Cuthbert both to Score a Try (was 7/2) Now 5/1
George North or Alex Cuthbert to Score the 1st Try (was 3/1) Now 9/2
Wales to Win by 25+ Points (was 11/4) Now 4/1
Gareth Davies to score a Try at Anytime (was 13/8) Now 2/1
Max £25
France v Canada in Pool D
Les Bleus will not mind a jot that their serene progress in Pool D behind pace-setting Ireland has largely gone unnoticed.
Following a very professional 32-10 victory over Italy to start proceedings, Philippe Saint-Andre’s French side were at their creative best when running in five tries to rout Romania 38-11.
As Ireland showed in their first match, the tier two Canadians are there for the taking against the top sides in world rugby, as the North Americans went down 50-7.
With the French in the mood, backing both the 21-30 point and 31-40 point winning margins at 3/1 and 12/5 respectively looks a smart covering move.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
Fancy a flutter? Sign up today to claim up to £50 in free bets.
