Skip to main content

New Zealand Massive -2000 Favorites Over Banged-Up Wales in RWC Third-Place Game

  • New Zealand is a prohibitive -2000 favorite to topple Wales in the Rugby World Cup third-place game
  • Semifinal losers to England, New Zealand haven’t lost back-to-back RWC games since 1999
  • Wales finished third in the first RWC in 1987

The last time New Zealand suffered defeat in consecutive Rugby World Cup games, Bill Clinton was residing in the White House. The last time Wales finished as high as third in a RWC was during the Ronald Reagan administration.

Something that hasn’t happened in a very long time must unfold this Friday (Nov. 1, 5 AM ET) in order for Wales to finish third in the tournament. Bovada, for one, finds this development to be an extremely unlikely.

The sportsbook lists the All Blacks as massive -2000 favorites to defeat the Welsh.

Wales vs New Zealand RWC Third-Place Odds

Team Spread Moneyline Total Odds at Bovada
New Zealand -19 (-135) -2000 52.5 (-120)
Wales +19 (EVEN) +750 52.5 (-115)
Draw N/A +4000 N/A

Odds taken Oct. 30.

Wales haven’t beaten New Zealand in a rugby test match since 1953.

All Blacks Take Detour

New Zealand were favored in the 2019 Rugby World Cup odds to win a third straight world title right from the start of this tournament. However, England had other ideas. The English shocked the All Blacks 19-7 in the first of two semifinal matches.

Wales met South Africa in the other semifinal. It was a rematch of their meeting four years ago in the RWC quarterfinals, and the outcome remained the same. The Springboks took a tight 19-16 victory.

History With New Zealand

Total dominance is the best way to describe the all-time series between New Zealand and Wales.

On Dec 1, 1953 in Cardiff, Wales beat the All Blacks 13-8, improving to 3-1 in head-to-head matches. Two days later, also in Cardiff, New Zealand blanked the Welsh 6-0, launching a 30-match win streak that continues to this day.

That includes a 4-0 New Zealand advantage in games played at neutral sites, three of which were in RWC matches. The All Blacks dumped the Welsh 49-6 in the semifinals at the first RWC 1987.

They also won 34-9 in 1995 and 53-37 in 2003 in group stage play.

New Zealand have scored at least 33 points in each of the last seven meetings with Wales. The most recent clash between these two nations came in Cardiff on Nov. 25, 2017. The All Blacks were 33-18 winners.

Injury-Riddled Wales

Wales coach Warren Gatland has announced nine changes to his injury-ravaged side from the 15 that started the semifinal against South Africa.

The absentees include fulback Liam Williams, out three months and facing ankle surgery. Owen Lane, just  parachuted in from Wales a week ago as an emergency replacement, will get a start.

Winger George North (hamstring) and second-string fullback Leigh Halfpenny (concussion) are also out, as are flanker Aaron Wainwright (hamstring) and tight head prop Tomas Francis (shoulder).

Gatland, a native New Zealander who’s been in charge for 12 years, will coach Wales for the final time. He’s 0-11 against the All Blacks.

2020 Australian Open Odds Tracker
Read More

All All Blacks, All The Time

Even with their full side at 100 percent, Wales was going to be in tough against New Zealand. It’s been 66 years since the Welsh got the better of the All Blacks after all.

New Zealand coach Steve Hansen is also stepping down after this game. He’s named captain Kieran Read, Ben Smith and Sonny Bill Williams, all veterans of the 2011 and 2015 RWC championship wins, to play their final matches as All Blacks before retiring from international rugby.

New Zealand hasn’t lost back-to-back RWC matches since 1999. Wales has finished as high as third just once, at the inaugural RWC in 1987.

Play the All Blacks but stay away from the moneyline. Give the 19 points.

Pick: New Zealand -19 (-135).

The post New Zealand Massive -2000 Favorites Over Banged-Up Wales in RWC Third-Place Game appeared first on Sports Betting Dime.



from Sports Betting Dime https://ift.tt/2qbUQYo
via IFTTT
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Players Championship Odds, Predictions, and Best Picks 2025

The Players Championship tees off Thursday, March 13th, 2025 Scottie Scheffler is the heavy +360 favorite to win this tournament for the third straight year See the 2025 Players Championship odds, picks, and best value bets below After Russell Henley won the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, the PGA Tour’s best head to Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida for the “fifth major” – the Players Championship. It’s the crown jewel on the schedule, and the field is stacked as it tackles the quirky and confounding TPC Sawgrass, with Scottie Scheffler searching for a record third straight title at this tournament. 48 of the top 50 golfers in the world will be teeing it up (not Bryson DeChambeau or Tyrrell Hatton). The Players Championship Odds 2025 Golfers Odds Scottie Scheffler +360 Rory McIlroy +800 Collin Morikawa +1600 Xander Schauffele +1600 Ludvig Aberg +2000 Justin Thomas +2000 Hideki Matsuyama +2800 Tommy Fleetwood +3000 Patrick Cantlay +3...
Post a Comment
Read more

Early Indiana vs Notre Dame Prediction, Pick & Odds for CFP Playoffs Round 1

We’ve made our early Indiana vs Notre Dame prediction for the College Football Playoff first round The latest CFP odds favor the Fighting Irish by over a touchdown at home Read below for our Indiana vs Notre Dame prediction, picks, and odds The College Football Playoff kicks off with a blockbuster matchup between in-state foes, as the No. 10 seed Indiana Hoosiers (11-1) travel to South Bend to take on the No. 7 seed Notre Dame Fighting Irish (11-1). The Irish are laying 7.5 points at home in this one, with the total sitting at 50.5 points. This marks the first-ever meeting between these programs in the playoff, adding even more intrigue to what was already shaping up as one of the most compelling first-round clashes. The Fighting Irish are looking to reestablish themselves as a national powerhouse, while the Hoosiers are out to prove their magical season is no fluke. Oddsmakers are siding with the Irish, but the sharp money is going the other way… Indiana vs Notre Dame Odds ...
Post a Comment
Read more

SMU vs Houston Odds and Picks

#6 Houston is a 10-point home favorite over SMU on Sunday (Jan. 31st, 1 pm EST) The Cougars have won seven straight and beat the Mustangs by 14 in their first meeting See below for analysis, odds and a betting prediction This Sunday will be the first since Labour Day weekend without NFL games to sweat. But never fear, college hoops has you covered with an AAC matchup between SMU and #6 Houston starting at 1 pm EST. The Cougars (14-1, 9-1 AAC) have won seven straight, while the Mustangs (9-3, 5-3 AAC) salvaged a split in their home and home series with Memphis last time out. SMU vs #6 Houston Odds Team Spread Moneyline Total SMU Mustangs +10 (-110) OFF Over 139 (-110) Houston Cougars -10 (-110) OFF Under 139 (-110) Odds taken Jan. 30th. Houston opened up as a 10-point favorite , in a game that features a total of 139. The Cougars are fresh off a 23-point win over Tulane in their last contest, dominating the Green Wave despite missing leading scorer Que...
Post a Comment
Read more