Rugby World Cup Pool D – Betting Preview
The Rugby World Cup is an amazing opportunity for fans to come together and participate in an exciting and fast-paced event which sees the very best of the best pitted against one another; nations take on nations, and the most elite players in the sport get to go head to head and show off the very best of their sporting ability. For those of us on the sidelines, there is still every chance to participate; read on for our guide to Pool D, and fund out which wager could be a winner!
Rugby World Cup: Pool D
Pool D is an eclectic bunch, with a range of victories and defeats nestled into one pool. Australia are always the wild cards, and have a habit of snatching victory from the jaws of defeat, while Wales have something of an underdog reputation. Fiji have a varying history of success, while Uruguay have a good motivation to make every tournament count.
Australia
Head Coach – Michael Cheika
Now in his second World Cup, Cheika has the knowledge and experience to take it all the way, and got his boys to the final last time.
Captain – Michael Hooper
There was a time when injury threatened to end Hoopers career, but he has proven he is made of strong stuff after bouncing back, and emerging as the named captain for the 2019 tournament.
Previous Rugby World Cup Best
Australia have claimed the top prize on two occasions; 1991 and 1999, and enjoyed a position as runners up in both 2003 and 2015.
Key Players
Captain Michael Hooper is always an important player to watch, and has the ability to totally devastate any attacks when paired with David Pockock. Kurthley Beale and Samu Kerevi are also sure to be formidable foes on the backline.
Current form
Australia saw some success in their warm-up matches, achieving three wins in their five games. Their defeats – to New Zealand and South Africa, were not too unexpected, and show that the Wallabies are itching for success.
31 – man squad
Forwards
Allan Alaalatoa, Rory Arnold, Adam Coleman, Jack Dempsey, Folau Fainga’a, Michael Hooper (c), Sekope Kepu, Tolu Latu, Isi Naisarani, David Pocock, Izack Rodda, Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Rob Simmons, Scott Sio, James Slipper, Taniela Tupou, Jordan Uelese.
Backs
Adam Ashley-Cooper, Kurtley Beale, Bernard Foley, Will Genia, Dane Haylett-Petty, Reece Hodge, Samu Kerevi (vc), Marika Koroibete, Tevita Kuridrani, Christian Lealiifano, James O’Connor, Jordan Petaia, Matt To’omua, Nic White.
Fixtures
20/7/19 – Australia v South Africa
27/7/19 – Australia v Argentina
10/8/19 – Australia v New Zealand
17/8/19 – Australia v New Zealand
7/9/19 – Australia v Samoa
Australia Betting Odds
Outright winning odds: 18/1
To Reach Semi-Final: 6/4
To Reach ¼ finals: 1/66
Wales
Head Coach – Warren Gatland
There is every chance that this could be Gatland’s last competition with the Welsh team, so he will be looking to go out with a bang for all the right reasons…
Captain – Alun Wyn Jones
Jones is an established player who has already proven that he has the chops for the big games, and has a strong reputation having racked up an impressive 130 appearances for the country.
Previous Rugby World Cup Best
Wales’s best performance came in 2015, when they found themselves in fourth place; the second highest they have ever finished in the Rugby World Cup and the best performance since a third-place finish way back in 1987.
Key Players
Gareth Anscome and Taulupe Faletu were certain to be the big players this year, but injury has removed both from the line-up. Wales still have a strong side, however, with Liam Williams, Jonathan Davies and captain Alun Wyn Jones particular names to note.
Current form
Wales are likely to have been disappointed with their recent warm-up game results, having only achieved one win out of a possible four. They will have some serious work to do if they plan to be in shape to tackle the big guns.
31 – man squad
Forwards
Jake Ball, Adam Beard, Rhys Carre, James Davies, Elliot Dee, Ryan Elias, Tomas Francis, Cory Hill, Alun Wyn Jones, Wyn Jones, Dillon Lewis, Ross Moriarty, Josh Navidi, Ken Owens, Aaron Shingler, Nicky Smith, Justin Tipuric, Aaron Wainwright.
Backs
Josh Adams, Hallam Amos, Dan Biggar, Aled Davies, Gareth Davies, Jonathan Davies, Leigh Halfpenny, George North, Hadleigh Parkes, Rhys Patchell, Owen Watkin, Tomos Williams, Liam Williams.
Wales Betting Odds
Outright winning odds: 9/1
To Reach Semi-Final: 8/13
To Reach ¼ finals: 1/8
Georgia
Head Coach – Milton Haig
Georgia have welcomed the knowledge, experience and overall skill offered by Haig, and it is sure to serve them well in this years tournament.
Captain – Merab Sharikadze
Having started his international career in 2014, Sjarkadze has risen through the ranks to captain the team for Georgia. The injury meant that his participation in the Rugby World Cup was in question, but a swift recovery has seen him performing back to full strength.
Previous Rugby World Cup Best
Georgia’s best performance to date was in 2007, when they enjoyed their first-ever win in the competition, beating Namibia 30-0.
Key Players
The front row is packed with potential in the form of Shalva Mamukashvili, Mikheil Nariashvili and Levan Chilachava, while Vasil Lobzhanidze is sure to bring some serious fire and energy to the team.
Current form
Georgia suffered pretty crushing defeats in their warm-ups against Scotland and will have to work hard to bring their standard back up to scratch.
31 – man squad
Forwards
Karlen Asieshvili, Jaba Bregvadze, Nodar Cheishvili, Levan Chilachava, Giorgi Chkoidze, Beka Gigashvili, Otar Giorgadze, Guram Gogichashvili, Beka Gorgadze, Lasha Jaiani, Vano Karkadze, Lasha Lomidze, Shalva Mamukashvili, Giorgi Melikidze, Konstantin Mikautadze, Mikheil Nariashvili, Giorgi Nemsadze, Beka Saghinadze, Shalva Sutiashvili, Giorgi Tkhilaishvili, Giorgi Tsutskiridze.
Backs
Tedo Abzhandadze, Mikheil Alania, Gela Aprasidze, Giorgi Aptsiauri, Giorgi Begadze, Zurab Dzneladze, Davit Kacharava, Lasha Khmaladze, Giorgi Kveseladze, Merab Kvirikashvili, Vasil Lobzhanidze, Lasha Malaghuradze, Soso Matiashvili, Tamaz Mchedlidze, Mirian Modebadze, Merab Sharikadze, Alexander Todua.
Georgia Betting Odds
Outright winning odds: 2000/1
To Reach Semi-Final: 250/1
To Reach ¼ finals: 33/1
Fiji
Head Coach – John McKee
Having worked with the team since 2014, McKee has victories against France, Georgia, Italy and Scotland under his belt.
Captain – Dominiko Waqaniburotu
Waqaniburotu was captain during both of Fiji’s historic win over France, and it is sure to be a firey and exciting match if these two old foes meet again in the 2019 tournament.
Previous Rugby World Cup Best
Fiji reached the quarter-finals in both 1987 and 2007, and this is the highest they have ever placed in the competition.
Key Players
Fiji is a team which is packed with potential, and offers plenty of key players to keep a close eye on. Strong names to watch include Vereniki Goneva, Semi Radradra, Peceli Yato and Leone Nakarawa.
Current form
Fiji had a pretty good warm-up season, managing success in over half of their games. They seemed to pick up momentum as the matches went on, and this is good news if they can carry this energy over to the main games.
31 – man squad
Forwards
Lee-Roy Atalifo, Tevita Cavubati, Mesulame Dolokoto, Semi Kunatani, Campese Ma’afu, Viliame Mata, Samuel Matavesi, Eroni Mawi, Leone Nakarawa, Api Ratuniyarawa, Tevita Ratuva, Peni Ravai, Manasa Saulo, Kalivati Tawake, Ratu Vere Vugakoto, Mosese Voka, Dominiko Waqaniburotu, Peceli Yato.
Backs
Levani Botia, Vereniki Goneva, Frank Lomani, Joshua Matavesi, Nikola Matawalu, Kini Murimurivalu, Filipo Nakosi, Waisea Nayacalevu, Semi Radradra, Henry Seniloli, Josua Tuisova, Jale Vatubua, Alivereti Veitokani, Ben Volavola.
Fiji Betting Odds
Outright winning odds: 500/1
To Reach Semi-Final: 50/1
To Reach ¼ finals: 25/1
Uruguay
Head Coach – Estaban Meneses
Having coached top Argentian clubs in the past, Meneses was personally recommended by ex-Pumas coach Daniel Hourcade, and has been with the Uruguay team since 2016.
Captain – Juan Manuel Gaminara
Having played ina previous World Cup in 2015, Gaminara is no stranger to the stress of playing on the world stage.
Previous Rugby World Cup Best
Uruguay’s participation in the Rugby World Cup has been sporadic, and the team have taken part on four occasions – 1999, 2003, 2015 and 2019. Their biggest year was in 2003, when they won their pool fixture while playing against Georgia, with a final score of 24-12.
Key Players
As captain, you would expect Juan Manuel Gaminara to be a big presence, and he packs a lot of energy and skill into his performance. Joining him at the front are Diego Magno and Alejandro Nietro, while Santiago Arata is sure to offer some excitement!
Current form
Uruguay were the losing team in their warm-up match against Argentina, though this was an outcome which most fans and players must have been anticipating.
31 – man squad
Forwards
Diego Arbelo, Manuel Ardao, Santiago Civetta, Manuel Diana, Ignacio Dotti, Juan Echeverría, Juan Manuel Gaminara, Facundo Gattas, Joaquín Jaunsolo, Germán Kessler, Franco Lamana, Manuel Leindekar, Diego Magno, Alejandro Nieto, Juan Diego Ormaechea, Guillermo Pujadas, Juan Pedro Rombys, Mateo Sanguinetti.
Backs
Santiago Arata, Felipe Berchesi, Juan Manuel Cat, Agustín Della Corte, Felipe Etcheverry, Federico Favaro, Nicolás Freitas, Tomás Inciarte, Leandro Leivas, Gastón Mieres, Agustín Ormaechea, Rodrigo Silva, Santiago Vilaseca.
Uruguay Betting Odds
Outright winning odds: 2500/1
To Reach Semi-Final:250/1
To Reach ¼ finals: 66/1
Conclusion
When it comes to the Pool D teams, Australia are a pretty certain bet to take a top spot. They tend to be unpredictable, but it is likely that they will pull it out of the bag to enjoy a victory. Wales may also be a wildcard, and Georgia have a chance of tasting a little success.
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