Bookmakers have written off Samoa’s chances of beating Australia in Saturday’s Rugby League World Cup Final.
The Kangaroos have been made resounding favourites for the showpiece event at Old Trafford and are priced at 1/11 by sponsors Betfred to win the game and defend the trophy they won in 2013 and 2017.
One of the most popular markets in rugby league is handicap betting, which allows the average fan to see how many points the bookies are favouring one team by – and in this case it is Australia who give away a huge 20-point start.
In other words, Mal Meninga’s team are expected to beat Samoa by around 20 points according to Betfred, with Matt Parish and his players written off before a ball is kicked.
It won’t faze the Pacific nation though who were given a 10-point start against last weekend, as the Bookies tipped England to beat Samoa by two scores at the Emirates Stadium.
New Zealand were given a 12-point start against Australia at Elland Road, a handicap they stayed well inside, losing by only two points in Leeds, with the Kangaroos progressing to the final with a tight 14-12 win.
Back to Saturday’s World Cup Final and in terms of the match itself, Samoa are 6/1 to win the game outright, with the Aussies 4/9 to be victorious by 13+ points.
Unsurprisingly, the tournament’s top try-scorer Josh Addo-Carr is favourite to score the game’s opening try, priced at 7/2, which is significantly shorter odds than what Samoa are to win the game.
In the fact, the first six players on the first try scorer market are all Australia players, with Taylan May and Brian To’o the first Samoa players on the list – both priced at 11/1 respectively.
If you want a big outside bet, and if you fancy Samoa to be in another epic golden point encounter like their semi-final against England, you can get a huge 22/1 for the game to end in a draw.
The above are not betting tips, merely a report of the betting markets for the game – please gamble responsibly.
