Australia vs Fiji Betting Tips: Predictions for game of the weekend

Fiji were one of the most unfortunate losers in Rugby World Cup history after being in most eyes the better team yet coming away with nothing against Wales after a host of controversial refereeing calls went against them. Now facing an uphill task to qualify for the knock-outs, this is a do or die game for the Fijians against a Wallabies team that have been far from convincing of late and were workmanlike in swatting aside minnows Georgia. Billy Grimshaw gives his idea of the two best bets...

I am really not convinced by Eddie Jones' Australia and think they are a team to take on throughout this tournament. Yes they got the job done against Georgia last week but they were far from convincing and I think there are holes all over their side, particularly in defence. In Saint Ettiene both teams will know a victory is of paramount importance but it is Fiji who are really in the last chance saloon thanks to last weekend's luckless loss to Wales.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed seeing the Fijians play with their trademark careless abandon and an offloading game is always a welcome sight in a World Cup that can often become a bit of a war of attrition. Indeed, they could have defied the officials and the rugby gods by snatching victory in the last seconds were it not for a butter fingers moment from Semi Radradra (more on him later).

I would make this game much more even than the betting sites have it priced up like, so without further ado let's get into those bets.

My colleague Steve Chambers tipped up Fiji last weekend and that has to go down as a very bad beat considering how the game panned out. Nevertheless, I am not perturbed form backing them once again as the underdog in a game against an opposition I just am not buying as genuine World Cup contenders. Jones picked a strange squad and has made three changes oncea again to his winning team, whereas Fiji have a settled best team and some outstanding strike weapons.

Nic White gets a chance at 9 for the Wallabies, and I think the Aussies will miss usual scrum half Tate McDermott controlling things. Waisea Nayacalevu is named in the centres for the Fijians and the captain will be looking to back up his fine individual and team display last time out, but their star man Bristol Bears flyer Semi Radradra is the main X factor in the backline and will get French bums off seats.

In most aspects of the game I think Fiji are a match for the Wallabies and with the stakes higher for them in a win or bust game, I think getting them onside to win (or on the handicaps if you are a more conservative punter) looks the smart play in this Sunday sizzler.

I was tempted to back Radradra for a redemption mission and a try at 11/5 anytime, but then I saw Betfred dangling a massive 10/1 about Australia HT Fiji FT. As we saw in week 1 the Fijians are slow starters but providing they can stick with the favourites they tend to finish with a wet sail. An additional reason to like this bet is the brittleness of Australia in the second halves of games recently against the likes of South Africa, New Zealand and even Argentina.

Fiji are not of the standard of those first teams named but they do possess some battering rams that will charge the ball in all day and tire the defenders out with their offloading game. Levani Botia coming into the side is a positive in my eyes as the versatile Fijian is a powerhouse and takes pleasure in getting his side over the advantage line. It's a power packed Fiji side with a big bench and this could also lend itself to our second play.

With a little more luck and a fair crack of the whip from the officials Fiji would've won last week and I'd imagine they'd be a good bit shorter to win this game. The price for them to be trailing at half time but come home strong is far, far too big and can round off our preview hopefully with a big priced winner.