Tonga vs Romania Betting Tips: Two predictions for World Cup clash

The two unfortunate sides drawn in the Rugby World Cup 'Group Of Death' with Ireland, South Africa and Scotland finally get some respite from playing the world's elite when facing each other in the final Pool B game. Tonga are heavy favourites to beat a Romania side who have been bullied so far this tournament and Billy Grimshaw is with the pacific islanders in side markets...

Although they came in to this tournament as massive underdogs to qualify, Tongans had legitimate hopes of taking at least one scalp in the group barring against whipping boys Romania. That has not come to pass in the end, but their performances have improved as the campaign has gone on and last week's battling loss to the Springboks brought with it no disgrace. With their pack of former Wallabies and All Blacks they have grown into the tournament and will hope to send their passionate fans home happy with a commanding win in their final game.

Romania were never expected to do anything at this tournament truth be told, but they have still been spirited albeit heavily outgunned in their three games so far. Perhaps their worst performance came last time out, which is worrying now squaring up with a building Tonga. 84-0 was the score-line as a swashbuckling Scotland swept them aside and it was evident to see the Romanian morale dropping as they realised that even the third best team in the group were light years ahead of them.

Perhaps they will have regrouped and will kick on for a tournament best performance here against Tonga, but my suspicion is that they will once again be battered in the middle and blown away on the scoreboard. Skybet are a standout 10/11 on Tonga -35 and I think that is arguably the best bet of this final round of Pool games. Any handicap at 39 or lower would be acceptable at that price so -35 looks a gift.

William Hill have often been top price in the winning margin markets at this World Cup so far, and although we haven't quite managed to nail one yet, at the prices it only takes one to turn things around. I like the look of Tonga winning this match by 51-55 points here, with my inkling being Romania could be there for the taking from about twenty minutes in. If Tonga improve once again they still probably won't hit the average margin Romania have lost by so far, which is by 78 points, but they can comfortably win by over 50.

The line-ups have not been released at the time of writing, but surely both teams will be looking to go out with a bang and will pick their best possible sides to chase an elusive first win. Romania are sending out another different looking side, with nine changes to be precise, but taking on Tonga when you are averaging 49 missed tackles per game is not a recipe for a fun day at the office.

Romania are simply nowhere near the level required to compete and now they are battered and bruised they face off against a side that love nothing more than battering and bruising. The handicap looks easily achievable for Tonga and this 12/1 winning margin bet looks value too.