Host Japan See Rugby World Cup Odds Improve to +6100 After Huge Upset Over Ireland
- For the second straight Rugby World Cup, Japan pulled off a huge upset
- The host Japanese stunned Ireland, 19-12
- Japan’s odds to win the RWC improved to +6100 from +20000
Japan left Irish eyes crying at the Rugby World Cup. In the biggest upset of the tournament so far, the host Japanese stunned the Irish 19-12 in Pool A group stage competition.
The stunning victory over the 2015 RWC quarter-finalists saw the chances of the Japanese winning the tournament improve significantly in the 2019 Rugby World Cup odds.
Japan’s average odds to win now stand at +6100.
2019 Rugby World Cup Odds
| Team | Odds |
|---|---|
| New Zealand | +120 |
| England | +400 |
| South Africa | +400 |
| Wales | +900 |
| Ireland | +1000 |
| Australia | +1600 |
| France | +2500 |
| Japan | +6600 |
| Argentina | +10000 |
| Scotland | +10000 |
*Odds taken on 10/03/19.
Some sportsbooks opened with odds as high as +20000 on Japan winning the RWC.
Can Japan Take The Next Step?
Ireland, ranked #2 in the world, looked very much like they’d handle the Japanese without issue. Two early tries spotted the Irish a 12-0 lead.
Japan whittled away at Ireland’s advantage with three penalties. A second-half try by full-back Kenki Fukuoka after 59 minutes put the Brave Blossoms in front for the first time, and for good.
The scenario is playing out almost identically for Japan as it did at the 2015 RWC in England. There, the Japanese stunned eventual semi-finalists South Africa 34-32 in pool play.
The opportunity was there for the Japanese to advance to the knockout stage, but they squandered it by losing 45-10 to Scotland.
Scotland and Japan are once more in the same pool. Ireland has already handled the Scots 27-3. Whether Japan advances will again likely to come down to the final match in Pool A on October 13th when the Japanese face Scotland at the International Stadium in Yokohama.
Some sportsbooks actually give Japan (+6600) better odds than Scotland (+10000) of winning the Rugby World Cup.
Argentina Takes Tumble
Semi-finalists four years ago, the reality is that Argentina might very well be going home following the end of the group stage. In tough with England and France in the so-called group of death (Group C), Argentina stumbled and lost 23-21 in its match with the French.
The Argentines face England on October 5th. A loss there will end Argentina’s hopes of advancing.
While it’s bad news for Argentina, it’s been a surprising showing for the French. They came into the Rugby World Cup off a 2-3 performance in the Six Nations.
But the French are a resilient bunch who seem to come up with their best rugby when it’s least expected. And France has never failed to advance to the knockout stages of a RWC.
It’s Still The All Blacks
In the most anticipated match of pool play, two-time defending RWC champions New Zealand dropped South Africa 23-13 in what could very well be a preview of the gold-medal match.
New Zealand followed with a decisive 63-0 verdict over Canada. The All Blacks are 30-0 all-time in RWC pool play and won’t find it to be a problem keeping their perfect record intact the rest of the way in Pool B. New Zealand’s final two matches are against Namibia and Italy.
Group D is playing out as expected. Wales topped Australia 29-25. Both of those nations should easily advance to the knockout round.
England posted wins over the USA and Tonga by a combined margin of 80-10. The English face tougher tests coming up against Argentina and France. Those outcomes will offer better evidence whether England are capable of challenging New Zealand and/or South Africa.
At this point, an All Blacks-Springboks final still looks to be the best bet.
Pick: New Zealand (+120)
An industry veteran, Bob literally taught the course on the history of sports at Elder College. He has worked as a Sports Columnist for Postmedia, appeared as a guest on several radio stations, was the Vice President of the Society For International Hockey Research in Ontario, and written 25 books.
