Rugby
2011-09-25 - Ireland vs Russia
A Sports Betting Pick by Paddy
Rugby : Rugby World Cup 2011 : Pool C
Sunday, 9th September 2011 - Kickoff 18:00 (local)
Ireland
Who saw that coming? Ireland blew the tournament wide open with a heroic win over Australia.
This time last week we were extolling the virtues of a talented Australia side and pointing to Ireland’s mediocre recent form before our predictions were all blown out of the water be a sensational Irish display in Auckland.
Ireland beat the Wallabies 15-6 and can now go on to top Pool C and avoid reigning champions South Africa in the quarter finals. They play Russia in Rotorua on Sunday.
Ireland’s excellent win over Australia has made them favourites to top Pool C, which would probably see them face Wales, Fiji or Samoa in the last eight. Coach Declan Kidney can therefore afford to rest some players for their match against minnows Russia, although his players are keen not to seem complacent ahead of the tie in Rotorua.
Second row Donchha O’Callaghan said: “The work ethic was always very high over the last couple of months, but it was about making sure we did that work justice by delivering it on the pitch.
“I think we managed to do that, but the challenge is now to keep the standards of our preparations up this week to reach the Russia game in as good a shape as possible.”
Paul O’Connell and Gordon D’Arcy are injury doubts after suffering hamstring strains in the win over Australia and coach Kidney may ring the changes for a match that his side should win comfortably.
Russia
Russia likely to be a force in the future, but not now. While Russia may well be a force to be reckoned with in world rugby in the future, their debut World Cup performance has been tough. Their best chance of a win was against the USA but a 13-6 defeat was then followed by a 53-17 thrashing by Italy.
Italy ran in nine tries in that victory, although Russia will be encouraged by the three tries they scored themselves in defeat.
Surprisingly, Russia does boast a professional rugby union league and the sport’s recently acquired Olympic status has also given it access to state funding and top class facilities as Russian schools can only play Olympic sports. This World Cup may have come about too early, however, and I can’t see Russia giving Ireland too many problems in this one.
Verdict:
Ireland’s win over Australia has meant that Declan Kidney’s side have done the hard work in pool C and they can now go on to wrap up their two remaining matches against Russia and Italy.
Even if the coach makes multiple changes for the Rotorua match, I can’t see Ireland failing to win this match comfortably. Russia are novices at this level and if Italy can score nine tries against them, Ireland should be able to win at a canter.
While I expect to see Ireland romp home with bonus point - the 45 point handicap looks a little bit high considering Ireland have no real incentive other than to make sure they win the game.
The Pick :
Russia with a 45 point start
