The All Blacks have only the fourth-best chance of winning the Rugby World Cup.
That’s according to the sports data and analytics company Stats Perform, who have New Zealand rated behind Ireland, hosts France and South Africa.
However, it’s a close-run race ahead of the opening game of the tournament, when two of the favourites clash as Ian Foster’s troops take on the hosts in Paris on September 9. Using Opta data, Stats Perform have given New Zealand a 20.2% likelihood of winning the World Cup for the third time in four campaigns.
Top-rated Ireland have been allocated a 21.7% likelihood, just ahead of France (21.4%), while defending champions South Africa – who destroyed the All Blacks by a record margin at Twickenham last Saturday – are rated just ahead of New Zealand as a 20.5% chance.
The top four are well clear of the rest of the field, headed by Argentina (5.7%), who have been rated a better chance than 2019 runners-up England (4.4%), while Eddie Jones’ Wallabies are given a 3% chance of holding the trophy at the completion of the tournament.
Punters who agree with that assessment of the All Blacks are then unlikely to want to place a bet on New Zealand as outright winner at the TAB, with the men in black currently tournament favourites at $3.50 – implying a 28.6% chance.
France are on the next line of betting at the TAB at $4 – which is the best price you can find for the All Blacks with a handful of major international bookmakers.
The TAB have the Springboks as third favourites at $4.50, just ahead of Ireland ($5).
[Source: Stuff.co]
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