Australia and New Zealand have predictably powered through to the Rugby League World Cup final and a titanic tussle is on the cards in Brisbane . The Kiwis have been visually more impressive throughout this tournament and were rated unlucky to lose their opening pool stage match against the hosts.
However, it is just so hard to oppose the Kangaroos with home advantage at such a hotbed as Lang Park , as they seek to lift the trophy for a fourth straight time. We’re sticking with the hosts to prevail at 7/10 for our first Australia vs New Zealand prediction.
Betting Odds
Rugby League World Cup Final Betting Odds
Result | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Australia | 7/10 | 58.8% |
New Zealand | 11/10 | 47.6% |
Draw | 22/1 | 4.3% |
Australia are the 7/10 favourites to beat New Zealand, who are 11/10 to win, with the draw @ 22/1.
How to Watch
How to watch the Rugby League World Cup Final
Sunday’s mouthwatering match is scheduled to kick off at 08:35 GMT and will be broadcast live on Premier Sports 1.
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Form Guides
Australia form guide
The Kangaroos were under the cosh for large parts of the tournament curtain-raiser against the Kiwis in Sydney a month ago and needed long-range interception tries by Jack Bostock and Tom Trbojevic to give them a slightly flattering 24-22 triumph.
Australia then laboured in the first half versus Fiji before a Trbojevic hat-trick after the break helped them to prevail 36-22, but there was a more polished feel to their 66-6 drubbing of the Cook Islands , when the Manly ace and Dolphins star Bostock both bagged trebles.
Head coach Kevin Walters , who will take charge of St Helens next season, came under fire for picking his squad on reputations, rather than recent form, prior to the tournament, but there was no doubt he got his team selection right for the semis.
The Kangaroos were on top form throughout a 44-12 thrashing of Samoa , with superstar full-back Reece Walsh at his electric best with a trio of tries. If Australia can hold their own in the forwards battle, Walsh will give them the X-factor on his home ground here, while towering wingers Bostock and Trbojevic have a significant height advantage over their opposite numbers to capitalise on the pinpoint kicks of Cameron Munster.
Everything points towards a close encounter, but we like 13/8 for the Kangaroos to just have the edge again and win by 1-12 points from the Australia vs New Zealand odds.
New Zealand form guide
The Kiwis are the only team other than Australia to have lifted this trophy over the past 50 years, upsetting their neighbours 30-24 in the 2008 final at this venue, and they did push the Kangaroos close before going down 16-14 at Elland Road in the semis four years ago.
After being hampered by losing some key players to Samoa and Tonga in recent years, New Zealand have regrouped and it has all come together nicely following last year’s Pacific Championships success. Following the early setback against Australia , head coach Stacey Jones saw his side hammer the Cook Islands 82-16 and then thrash Fiji 78-0, when outstanding Penrith centre Casey McLean ran in four tries.
Despite facing a partisan crowd in Newcastle , Tonga were brushed aside 34-10 in the semis thanks to an excellent all-round effort, with explosive full-back Kalyn Ponga confirming his return to fitness just three weeks after breaking his forearm against Australia . Led by c aptain James Fisher - Harris , the Kiwis do appear to have the more powerful unit up front, although keeping a lid on things could be tough for this fiery bunch in such a high-octane atmosphere.
With a forecast for thundery showers over the weekend in Brisbane , this may develop into more of an arm-wrestle than the previous encounter, so 12/5 for Australia to win and under 41.5 total points is added to our Rugby League World Cup final betting tips. That selection would have been successful in each of the last three deciders!
Betting Tips
Rugby League World Cup Final Betting Odds
Australia to win by 1-12 points @ 13/8
Australia to win & under 42.5 total points @ 12/5
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