rwclogoCouch Critic previews Thursday's Rugby World Cup Pool matches between Italy and Canada and England v USA with best bets from @Olimp_SA

 

 

 

 

The first game week is a thing of the past and we have now had an opportunity to see the majority of teams in action. The only two who have not yet had their first hit-out are the North Americans (Canada and USA) who go head-to-head with the Six Nations duo Italy and England respectively on Thursday.

 

Italy vs Canada, Thursday 26 September @ 09:45 (Fukuoka City)

 

What you need to know

Italy notched up seven scores against Namibia which seems a decent effort considering some of the other bigger nations have failed to put their lesser rated opponents away in style. They did however leak three tries against the lowest ranked team at the tournament.

Canada come into the World Cup off the back of a Pacific Nations Cup campaign where they went 0 form three - losing to USA, Fiji and Tonga. An international friendly victory over USA was somewhat diluted due to it not being against a full-strength American side on that occasion.

The Italians only had a 3-day break after their previous clash and will consequently give a number of fresh faces a run in Fukuoka. Bigi, Steyn, Allan, Hayward and Benvenuti are those who remain in the side but of those only Allan wears the same number on his back as against Namibia.

 

How I see it panning out

The Italians weren’t poor in their first outing but there were a few too many errors and defensive deficiencies. A team that lost by 10 to Tonga won’t beat the Italians, even if it is an Italian B side, but I do see the North Americans making the Europeans work hard for their victory – especially early on.

 

Betolimp Best Bet: Canada to stay within the first half cap of +9.5 @ 1.84

Special Play: Last trysocrer – Mattia Bellini @ 10.00

 

England vs USA, Thursday 26 September @ 12:45 (Kobe City)

 

What you need to know

England impressed no one with a laboured effort against Tonga. Coach Eddie Jones was quick to point to the fact that his side got the job done by taking the victory, getting the bonus point and escaping without serious injury (as far as we know). Jones has backed up this statement by ringing the changes for the clash with USA – clearly not feeling any pressure to keep his heavy hitters on the park against the States. Only five players have been retained from the starting fifteen against the islanders.

The United States are the last team to kick off their tournament. USA impressively beat Samoa in the Pacific Nations Cup on route to the unofficial final against Japan. AJ McGinty is a man to watch at flyhalf for the Americans whilst Martin Iosefo will be known by many for his strong running exploits on the Sevens Circuit.

 

How I see it panning out

There are some players like Jonathan Joseph and Joe Cokanasiga who will be chomping at the bit to show what they can do by impressing Eddie to such a degree that they come into the running for first team duties. The Tongans were able to physically impose themselves on the English and make it tough for them to dish out the pain – the Stars and Stripes don’t have that same physicality to their game.

I worry that the USA will struggle to hold their own in the set pieces but am banking on the Poms not bothering to engage fifth gear and coasting home once the four tries have been secured. It has been a World Cup for the plusses and I will have a little nibble on that for this game as well. I will also back the explosive Joseph to do some damage.

 

Betolimp Best Bet: USA to stay within the cap of +33.5 @ 1.88

Special Play 1: Jonathan Joseph to score 2 or more tries @ 4.40

Special Play 2: J Joseph to score anytime and England to win by 26-30 points @ 15.50

 

 

Note, odds quoted are available at the time of writing but are subject to change

 

Couch Critic