Rugby World Cup: Australia up against Fiji and France face Romania

Away from Scotland’s jostle with giant-killing Japan at the Rugby World Cup this midweek, punters and fans will get to see Australia in action for the first time at this tournament when they face Fiji in Pool A.

France, meanwhile, are looking to follow up their Pool D opening win over Italy against another European side in Romania.

Australia v Fiji
Only host nation England are more fancied to emerge from their group than the Aussies, who are 7/1 tournament third-favourites with Coral. Ranked second in the world, you have to go way back to the 1950s for the last Wallabies loss to Fiji.

Australia are thus overwhelming odds-on 1/16 favourties to hand a second successive defeat of this Rugby World Cup to the Pacific Islanders.

With three handsome victories of 40 points plus in the last decade, the Wallabies are better at evens given a handicap deficit of 25, but punters can be more positive in their betting than that.

As the Aussies record such one-sided results, odds of 6/1 for the margin of victory to be in that 41-50 points bracket again are superb value. One of those wins was at the Rugby World Cup before last, so resonates.

Versatile Wallabies wide option Adam Ashley-Cooper is one to watch throughout the tournament. Whether on the wing, at full back or outside centre, he offers a huge threat and is 13/2 to grab the first try.

Fiji’s only notable threat is Nemani Nadolo, who is 7/4 to repeat crossing as he did against England here anytime. The Pacific Islanders also feature in an enhanced matchday special of 5/1 to score the first try.

France v Romania
This will be the 50th meeting between Les Bleus and the Eastern European outfit, and Romania have recorded eight wins over their Six Nations opposition before. Another here is highly unlikely, however, at 25/1.

Just as France get one influential player back in Wesley Fofana, they lose another in Yoann Huget, and his Rugby World Cup is over after a knee ligament rupture. The returning Fofana is 5/1 to cover for the injured winger by grabbing the first try.

With Les Bleus massive odds-on 1/100 favourites, a margin of victory in excess of 40 points again looks the smart bet at 11/4.

Coral’s top tip: Australia pay at a super 6/1 to win by 41-50 points.