The World Cup resumes early tomorrow when France take on Australia in Canberra .
Obviously the Aussies are clear favourites in the books with the French available at up to 80/1 for a shock . That’s not going to happen so we’re left to look at the handicap ,where the Kangaroos are asked to concede a 50 point start on the handicap .
The French were quite unfortunate to lose to Lebanon last week , but this is another kettle of fish . In 2013 France lost by 48 points to a Kiwi side that Australia went on to beat comfortably in the final , the Green and Gold beat Ireland by 50 points in a game comparable to this one but went onto win their semi final against Fiji 64-0 so there’s no sign they’ll take their foot off the gas with the game won . They will want to find some rhythm after a sloppy showing against England last week , and with only Lebanon to come next week have no need to keep gas in the tank .
Due to this you have to think the reigning World Champs can go over 60 points but there is always a risk with big handicaps , a couple of French tries would see Australia needing to score 70 points .
I think the winning margin could be around 61-65 points but it could really be anything . Form is hard to go on with so little Rugby between the top and minor nations , alternative to the handicap is the total points line . This is around 62.5 and is worth considering if you fancy the Aussies to cover the handicap , basically a 60-10 Australia win would fall under the handicap line but over the total points line .
If you fancy France to do a bit better than the bookies then 4/1 with a 40 point start looks good value , dreamers can get 33/1 that Australia don’t win both halves , that’s different from Half Time Full Time .
1st try favourite is Trbojevic at 6/1 , with Mansour at 13/2 I’d probably go with Slater at 7/1 .
Aussie captain Cameron Smith doesn’t score many tries , he averages 1 in 5 in Green and Gold , but against weaker opposition 5/2 could be good value for him to cross the whitewash in the 80 minutes .
3 games to look at for Saturday , as always please gamble responsibly .