RUGBY BETTING PICK - AUSTRALIA V ITALY

Rugby

2011-09-11 - Australia vs Italy

A Sports Betting Pick by Obirad

AUSTRALIA v ITALY
Rugby : Rugby World Cup 2011 : Pool C
Sunday 11th September 2011, Kickoff 3:30pm (local)

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Match Analysis

While 2009 and 2010 were not great years for Australian Rugby, there is genuine excitement about the possibilities of 2011.

Coach Robbie Deans has said that he has been building his side for the RWC over the last few years. This was his goal from the start - to build a team to win the world cup.

Whether this is fact or just an excuse by an under pressure coach / team that has had a poor record over the last three years before FINALLY winning the tri-nations this year is a question for debate ...

Dean's approach appears to have paid off - because this is a more skilled, stronger and classier team than the 2003 world cup finalists and the 2007 quarter finalists.

Australia have stuck with the side that beat the All Blacks 25-20 in Brisbane to win the Tri-Nations trophy, with O'Conner, and Polotau-Nau returning to the bench.

This is a formidable Australian side and probably the best side they could put out - apart from O'Conner - who is still in trouble for being a dumb kid and missing trainings and team events.

Italy are now in the FIVE SIX Nations and are slowly improving as a European rugby nation but they are still only a minnow in world rugby. Italy have never qualified for the quarter finals in a RWC. nor have Italy ever beaten Australia in 15 attempts.

To qualify this time the Italians will need to beat Russia and then the USA, which they should, and then upset either Australia or Ireland. The final game of group C is a clash between Ireland and Italy. It is this game that will decide who qualifies for the quarter finals behind the Wallabies.

Being in New Zealand in Spring the weather could be crap (windy and rainy) but it is a 3.30pm kick off meaning that back play should be better than under night conditions/

Previous Results :

20 Nov 2010 - Florence - Australia 32 beat Italy 14
20 June 2009 - Canberra - Australia 34 beat Italy 12
13 June 2009 - Canberra - Australia 31 beat Italy 8

The Betting Verdict :

Australia have announced its top team early and I believe Italy will rest key personnel for this game and the Australian back line will really let loose. Italy’s lack of depth is the key in deciding my betting option for this opening game.

So Australia should cover the line of 30.5 but seeing as they have been really strong starters of late – leading NZ by 17 at HT in their last appearance and they also led South Africa 39-6 half way thru the second half (but it was only 15-6 at HT) at home before a couple of late tries bridged the gap.

Good luck

BEST BETTING TIP :

Main Bet :
Take Australia to be leading by 15+ at HT which pays $2.00